... and if the problem is not sorted out in time, Chinese fans may not get to see David Beckham this Wednesday, says Ruud Gullit, head coach of the LA Galaxy.
Our city may be home to some of the world's tallest and most beautiful (okay, that one's subjective) skyscrapers, but as it turns out, we have problems keeping soccer pitches clean. Here's Gullit's complaint, quoted verbatim from an AFP report:
"The pitch is in bad shape and dangerous, there were stones and bones, shells, everything was on the pitch. It is pretty difficult to play on it, so I hope they can clean it..."
Beckham has not been in top form and was recently dropped by England coach Fabio Capello in a game against Switzerland. He has told reporters that getting back into shape to play again for England is a matter of top priority, and hence, may opt to disappoint his Chinese fans if the pitch is not cleaned up in time.
In a similar incident elsewhere in Asia, Malaysian officials were greatly embarrassed early last year when F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone criticised the Sepang circuit in the southern state of Johor as being "shabby", with "rubbish all over the place" and "in need of a facelift".
In other news, David Beckham will have to celebrate the birthday of his oldest son Brooklyn by telephone from Shanghai today.
Photo of David Beckham on a Xujiahui billboard by Sinosplice
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Ruud Gullit? There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.
Bones?!? Damn, what are they doing on that pitch, slaughtering pigs in the off-season...
I'm surprised they didn't mention glow sticks left over from some concert. If they no longer glow, chuck'em!