Sydney FC ditch controversial SCG for last A-League game

Defiant FFA insists there are no legitimate safety concerns around the SCG’s maligned pitch, but nonetheless signed off to move Sydney FC’s top-of-the-table clash away from the iconic venue.

Sydney FC will play their final regular season game at Jubilee Stadium. Picture: AAP

• SCG pitch a ‘clear and present danger’
• Muscat slams SCG after star’s injury

Defiant Football Federation Australia insists there are no legitimate safety concerns around the SCG’s maligned pitch, but nonetheless signed off to move Sydney FC’s top-of-the-table A-League clash with Perth to Jubilee Stadium.

FFA, the SCG Trust and Sydney FC met on Monday with ground staff to inspect the patchwork surface of the iconic but traffic-heavy venue, two days after it elicited widespread condemnation when Melbourne Victory midfielder Terry Antonis sustained a knee injury under no contact.

Victory subsequently backed the players’ union’s call for an independent investigation into how the pitch was approved.

Sydney FC will play their final regular season game at Jubilee Stadium. Picture: AAP

But word from A-League boss Greg O’Rourke was that, while not deemed unsafe, it was not “conducive to professional football”, and the three parties agreed to shift the round 26 match, scheduled for Thursday 18 April, to Jubilee.

“We acknowledge that the playing surface was, and would be, playable and safe for Hyundai A-League football as verified by two independent expert reports in days prior to the match as per our normal process,” O’Rourke said.

“The SCG’s wicket block, though, compromises the uniformity of the field for football in particular.

“Following discussions with all stakeholders, we have taken the proactive decision to move the remaining Sydney FC match at the SCG to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.”

Other codes will continue to play games at the venue which, because of Allianz Stadium’s demolition, now accommodates NRL and rugby along with cricket and AFL.

Terry Antonis was injured while playing at the SCG. Picture: AAP

Sydney are also likely to host any potential semi-final or elimination final at Jubilee, while FFA said it has long had a tentative booking at ANZ Stadium for grand-final day.

The Sky Blues agree with FFA the surface did not pose a risk to the players, despite Victory coach Kevin Muscat’s post-match declaration it was “dangerous” and represented an “unacceptable” workplace, and believed it to be in better shape than Jubilee was for the W-League grand final.

However, it’s understood they have no desire to host any further games at the venue due to the sub-standard fan experience at such a big ground and so far away from the pitch.

It’s believed they also told the SCG Trust some weeks ago that if they didn’t re-turf the entire pitch they’d leave themselves open to criticism over the different colours of grass.

Sydney chief executive Danny Townsend expressed frustration that the “narrative” had swung away from football and implored the focus to return to the field as Steve Corica’s team, now four points clear of Victory in second, attempt to reel in the Glory six points ahead on the summit.

“This is a hugely important Hyundai A-League fixture with 1st playing 2nd and we want the narrative to be about the football.

“I believe our squad didn’t get the credit they deserved for their magnificent performance on Saturday night and we need the game to be the main event.

“This is a decision made in the viewing interest of Members and supporters.”

SCG chief executive Kerrie Mather said: “We understand the FFA and Sydney FC’s decision to move the fixture.”