Clubs fume over ‘deplorable’ Sydney Cricket Ground pitch

SYDNEY: 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. - AFP