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FBL-AUS-ASIA-SCG-CRICKET
Clubs fume over ‘deplorable’ Sydney Cricket Ground pitch
SYDNEY, April 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Australia’s football players’ union
Sunday demanded an investigation into the “deplorable” Sydney Cricket Ground
pitch after midfielder Terry Antonis suffered a potentially serious knee
injury during an A-League game.
Antonis collapsed to the ground in the second-half of the match on Saturday
between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC after slipping on the uneven surface
when no-one else was around him.
Professional Footballers Australia chief executive John Didulica said the
pitch was in a “deplorable state” and clearly dangerous as he demanded
answers from Football Federation Australia as to how the game was allowed to
go ahead.
“The players confirmed with us last night that they were not consulted at
any stage on whether or not the match should proceed, notwithstanding the
clear issues that the pitch presented to their livelihoods,” he said.
“As demonstrated, cricket wickets present an unreasonable danger to the
health and safety of footballers and it remains the view of the PFA that
players are under no obligation to participate in matches when such risks are
present.”
The iconic cricket ground is being used for soccer and rugby while the
neighbouring Sydney Football Stadium is demolished and rebuilt.
Last month, large sections of the hallowed turf was ripped apart during a
Super Rugby game between the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds.
Management were forced to replace 3,000 square metres of grass afterwards
in preparation for a rugby league match.
Sydney FC chief Danny Townsend said the pitch “clearly wasn’t up to the
standards required for professional football” and said the club could move
its next match elsewhere.
Victory coach Kevin Muscat said it was too early to assess Antonis’ injury,
but he has been ruled out of their AFC Champions League clash with Guangzhou
Evergrande in China this week.
“That simply is not good enough,” he said of the pitch. “Not for the
contest tonight (Saturday), not for anything.”
Sydney won the game 2-1.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1210 hrs