Barcelona complains to UEFA about AC Milan's pitch

BARCELONA - The Associated Press

Barcelona's of Chile forward Alexis Alejandro Sánchez (R) and AC Milan's defender Luca Antonini eye the ball during the Champions League quarter-finals first leg football match AC Milan vs FC Barcelona on March 28, 2012 at San Siro stadium in Milan. AFP photo

Barcelona has filed a complaint to UEFA about the state of the San Siro pitch in its 0-0 draw with AC Milan in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals.

The defending champions say they filed the complaint late Wednesday after the match in which their players lost their footing and kicked up clumps of turf from the ground.

Lionel Messi slipped when taking a free kick in a dangerous position early in the first half, slicing his shot for the ball to bounce out for a goal kick.

The second leg will be held next Tuesday at Barcelona's Camp Nou stadium.