A FOOTBALL club is trying to save its pitch after it was ripped up by wild boars.
Players of Val de l’Orne FC, who play in Jœuf, Eastern France, reportedly arrived at the Aldo Platini stadium on Sunday to find the turf had been destroyed.
The wild boars had invaded the pitch the previous evening and began tearing at the grass, leaving it beyond unplayable.
The mayor's sport deputy Gerard Keff described the damage, which could cost the club thousands of pounds, as the worst he has seen in his 66 years in football.
Keff said: "I have never seen this. I am 76 years old, I have been playing football since the age 10 years, I have never seen such a disaster."
The club vice president Herve Thierry added: "It's very impressive. A third of the main pitch has been completely turned over.
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"Usually, we see this in private gardens, among farmers who rightly complain, but like this on a football pitch it's really impressive."
Work is underway to try and repair the pitch whileVal de l’Orne are also set to contact the national hunting federation to try and get compensation.
An investigation will also take place to find out how the boars broke onto the pitch with the club determined to prevent it happening again.
Fortunately, French seventh division side Val de l’Orne will be able to fulfil their fixtures as they have a synthetic pitch in their Aldo Platini complex – named after the father of France football legend Michel.
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Thierry added: "We have a large synthetic pitch of the latest generation.
"So, for training and matches for seniors and young people, we have nothing to worry about."
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