Romania's newly inaugurated National Arena will temporarily be closed down, after two agents from UEFA checked the state of its lawn, following public complaints after the Romania – France football match earlier this week. A final decision on whether Romanain football teams Steaua and Otelul will play on the National Atena the games scheduled for this fall will be taken on Friday.

The next match scheduled to take place on the National Arena was Steaua - Schalke on September 15. The National Arena lawn has been deteriorated due to the unfavorable weather conditions- high temperatures and the lack of rain, and the damaged areas will be replaced, according to the Bucharest Municipality, which has built the new arena.

Romanian and French media have commented on the state of the lawn during the Romania-France game, comparing it to a field of potatoes or a garden filled with molehills. More comments about the game here.

Some of the football matches that should take place on the National Arena:

Steaua - Schalke 04 (September 15, Europa League)

Otelul - Benfica (September 27, Champions League)

Rapid - PSV Eindhoven ( Sept 29, Europa League)

Otelul - Manchester United (October 18, Champions League)

Otelul - FC Basel November 22, Champions League)

editor@romania-insider.com

(photo source: National Arena)