FFA slam 'unacceptable' SCG pitch after Antonis injury

Football Federation Australia have slammed the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch that saw Melbourne Victory midfielder Terry Antonis leave the field injured in the clash with Sydney FC.

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The governing body says they will meet on Monday with Sydney FC and the SCG Management, and will seek alternative venues if there is not a significant improvement. 

“Last night’s conditions were unacceptable. If we are not confident that the ground will improve significantly then alternate venues would be sought in the future for Sydney FC home matches," Head of the A-League Greg O’Rourke said. 

“Whilst FFA understands the current demands on the surface, which now sees five codes using the ground, it appears that the needs of our code around surface condition may not be able to be met, despite the best intentions of all parties. 

“The processes we have in place approved the surface last night as playable and safe. These processes include pitch inspections in the days leading up to the game and on game day by Sydney FC, SCG, the match commissioner and the referees. 

“It goes without saying, we wish Terry Antonis a quick return to playing."

Antonis left the pitch in the 78th minute with a suspected knee injury after innocuously falling to the ground. 

It is understood that Antonis fell on the edge of re-laid turf above the cricket pitch. 

Victory coach Kevin Muscat slammed the conditions post-match. 

"In the middle it was ridiculously hard, and unsafe as far as I'm concerned," Muscat said.

"For players to go out onto that, whatever it's called, is a disgrace."

Professional Footballers Australia has called for an independent investigation into how the match was allowed to proceed. 

FFA says it will review the decision and potentially change the process. 

“We will sit down tomorrow and review the decision leading up to last night’s game. If we are not comfortable with the process undertaken, we will have no hesitation in finding a better way for next season,” said O'Rourke. 

“We are committed to working towards playing on fewer venues which host multiple codes.

"Expansion teams Western United and South West MacArthur will both have minimal use from other codes in their stadiums in the long term, which is what we all need to work towards,”