Japanese beetle FCB pros can move to junior campus

FC Basel's first team can move from their training pitch, which has been dug up because of the Japanese beetle, to the youth campus. The fields there may continue to be watered to attract the pest, as the responsible authorities in the two Basel regions announced on Tuesday.

The Japanese beetle that has appeared in the Basel region has also caused problems for the FC Basel footballers. Their traditional training pitch was dug up and covered to eliminate the beetle larvae. And a watering ban was imposed on the adjacent lawns.

Now the sports and environmental authorities, together with the federal government, have found an emergency solution for the professional footballers: They can switch to the fields of the junior campus. These have been declared as "lure areas". This means that they are deliberately watered to attract the pests, where they can then be specifically controlled.

FC Basel has agreed to this measure. However, according to a press release, it would like to point out that no public training sessions are taking place due to the current situation.