Wembley pitch consultants resign 24/06/2010 |
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The pitch consultants responsible for Wembley’s much-criticised playing surface have resigned.
Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) has been responsible for the pitch at the national stadium since May 2009.
But the surface has been re-laid 11 times since the stadium reopened in 2007 and has been blasted by a host of teams and managers as sub-standard.
The Football Association is to use a new company, Desso Sports Systems, on a trial basis to lay the pitch for the FA Community Shield on August 8.
"We have had many constructive and positive discussions with Wembley over the last few weeks on what would be the best way forward to make significant improvements to the pitch," said STRI chief executive Gordon McKillop.
Those talks, according to McKillop, should see improvements to the pitch during 2010.
"This new structure of pitch does not require the previous level of research and consultancy from the STRI team and, therefore, we feel it is the right time to resign," he added.
As part of the plan to repay the £750m cost of the new Wembley, the FA has to allow other sports and music events to use the stadium.
A statement from Wembley National Stadium Limited managing director Roger Malin read: "The pitch is at the heart of the stadium and football is our number one priority.
"However, Wembley Stadium is a multi-use venue and developing our event calendar with a range of football, rugby, sports and entertainment events is key to the success of our business plan.
"The crucial balance for us is to maintain a good quality playing surface for football, whilst at the same time fulfilling our business plan commitments and maintaining our heritage as a multi-event venue."
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