Espanyol Unimpressed By Athletic's Line Dance Athletic Bilbao were forced to repaint their pitch markings before the Copa del Rey game against EspanyThe Basque Country outfit altered the normal dimensions in San Mamés in a bid to prevent their visitors' using the width to cause them problems.
Although it is frowned upon to complain, Espanyol boss Ernesto Valverde was so incensed that he reported the matter to referee Fernando Teixeira Vitienes.
After a quick inspection the matchday official ordered Athletic to cover over the new lines and repaint their original markings before the game could begin.
The referee made the decision as it is against the rules for clubs to alter the size of their pitch mid-season and he included the incident in his report.
In Athletic's defence, coach Joaquín Caparrós said that it was no different to the tricks that other clubs try when he takes his team to different grounds.
"They let the grass grow long or cut it very short when we play at other places to try and give them an advantage," he said.
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