MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia's Premier League has closed Rostov's stadium because of the poor condition of the pitch, a week after Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho slammed the surface as unplayable.

The league said on Wednesday (March 15) that it was banning matches at the Olimp-2 arena - as well as the Central Stadium in Kazan - until the pitches meet its standards.

Mourinho had decried the state of the pitch - which was dry and devoid of grass in areas - ahead of the 1-1 draw with Rostov in their Europa League match last Thursday.

"It is hard for me to believe we are going to play on that field - if you can call it a field," Mourinho thundered.

Rostov regional deputy governor Igor Guskov told Tass news agency that late spring frosts were the main reason for the pitch's shoddy condition.

"Currently, the stadium's technical team is taking all the necessary measures," he said.

Premier League officials said that Rostov will have their pitch inspected again on March 24, ahead of their next home game, with Krasnodar on March 31.