UEFA's Leeds-based consultant Richard Hayden had come under criticism as it was reported he ordered local groundsmen to re-lay three pitches (Lille, Nice, and Marseille) with Slovak grass, provided by an Austrian company for an estimated €600,000 (£460,000). On 22 June it was reported that France's grass association officials had blamed Hayden for continued problems with the pitches, citing "it is amazing that it is only these pitches that have problems today". The Austrian manufacture of the turf ‘Richter’ responded to the French grass association officials by saying “the turf for the stadiums in Lille and Marseille was delivered in top condition" and that “the turf placement and further care were handled by French companies and no one other than the French grounds-people had control over the grounds condition”. In a statement, UEFA rejected the criticism against Hayden as baseless and stated they were satisfied with his work.