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The Russian Football Premier League (RFPL) has banned Rostov from playing on the pitch at their Olimp-2 stadium until the state of the surface improves. Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho complained about the playing surface ahead of his side's 1-1 Europa League draw at Rostov last week. Mourinho said UEFA had dismissed his complaints that the pitch was dangerous, but the RFPL committee that oversees pitches in the league has since deemed the surface to be unacceptable. The RFPL said in a statement that Rostov will not be able to play at their Olimp-2 stadium until the pitch meets its playing surface standards. Fellow Russian side Rubin Kazan have also been handed down the same punishment. Mourinho said of Rostov's pitch last week: "It's still hard for me to believe that we are going to play [there]. I know that we have to, but it is hard for me to believe we are going to play on that field -- if you can call it a field." Rostov manager Ivan Daniliants also said before last week's Europa League round-of-16 first leg that the pitch would pose United a "problem."
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