Leichhardt Oval under fire as Canberra's Unite Round game moved

A shoddy Leichhardt Oval has forced Canberra United's clash against Perth Glory to be moved to Kogarah Oval. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue The A-League Women's entire Unite Round was meant to be played at Leichhardt only for the surface to be deemed unacceptable for soccer, meaning all six games have been moved across Sydney. In good news for Canberra fans, entry will now be free and anyone who has already purchased tickets will get a refund.

The surface is so bad, Sydney FC have threatened to pull their remaining ALW games from Leichhardt after the marquee Unite Round matches had to be relocated at short notice. Both the Sky Blues and players union have given the Leichhardt surface scathing feedback. It is yet another speed bump for the cash-strapped Australian Professional Leagues as they host the second iteration of Unite Round - an initiative similar to the AFL's Gather Round in Adelaide and the NRL's Magic Round in Brisbane.



Canberra United's Unite Round clash against the Perth Glory has been moved from a substandard Leichhardt Oval to Kogarah Oval. Picture by Keegan Carroll The inner-city Leichhardt pitch was scrutinised during Saturday's ALW Sydney derby and an inspection on Monday confirmed the surface was inadequate. "Following the decision to move the A-League Women's Unite Round matches away from Leichhardt Oval, we are considering our own options for our remaining home women's games at the venue this season," Sydney chief executive Mark Aubrey said in a statement.

"As much as we enjoy the atmosphere we create when we play at Leichhardt Oval and we'd like to create a hub at the ground for our women's team; the playing surface is currently unacceptable for professional football, particularly considering we are three rounds into the new season. "Unless there is a major improvement we will be forced to make alternative arrangements and if things go well elsewhere, who knows if we will return." Sydney's next scheduled game at the venue is against Newcastle on December 15.

Sydney's Leichhardt Oval has been stripped of hosting the ALW's Unite Round. Picture AAP Professional Footballers Australia welcomed the APL's call to move the games. "Last season, players rated Leichhardt Oval four out of five stars for pitch quality," PFA chief executive Beau Busch said in a statement.

"However, after last weekend, it received just one out of five - a dramatic decline. "The venue has since been deemed unacceptable for professional football by both the APL and Sydney FC. "The players have been clear that they will not accept a fundamental component of football - the playing surface - being hijacked.

" Garcia confirmed planned shuttle services from A-League Men venue Allianz Stadium would go to Kogarah, while planned fan zones and gala days would proceed as planned. "It is imperative that we have the best possible playing surface to ensure quality football, player safety and the most entertaining product for our fans," A-Leagues commissioner Nick Garcia said in a statement. Poor surface quality has been an issue early in the ALW season.

Newcastle had their home matches relocated twice in the opening three rounds of the ALW, playing Western Sydney at Cessnock Sportsground in round one because their No.2 Sportsground home was not ready. The Jets then hosted Wellington at Maitland Sportsground in round three after the Wanderers found the Cessnock pitch too hard and gave it the minimum rating of one star for its smoothness and overall quality.

One player told the PFA it was one of the worst pitches they had played on. The Lang Park pitch was also under fire after a men's match between Brisbane and Sydney FC in round three was played just six days after a concert. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy More from AFL Crows stung by string of close AFLW losses to Lions Steve Larkin Martin-like Lalor set to lead Tigers' strong AFL draft Shayne Hope and Anna Harrington Bulked up Docker Jye Amiss aims for better accuracy Justin Chadwick Crows stung by string of close AFLW losses to Lions Steve Larkin Martin-like Lalor set to lead Tigers' strong AFL draft Shayne Hope and Anna Harrington Bulked up Docker Jye Amiss aims for better accuracy Justin Chadwick Shattered Hawks let it slip against Port in AFLW epic Justin Chadwick and Steve Barrett More from sports Leichhardt Oval under fire as Canberra's Unite Round game moved Joanna Guelas, Anna Harrington • No comment s Baby on the way for Matildas star Sam Kerr and West Ham's Kristie Mewis Anna Houlahan • No comment s Fourth member of famous Canberra family becomes national champion David Polkinghorne • No comment s Leichhardt Oval under fire as Canberra's Unite Round game moved Joanna Guelas, Anna Harrington • No comment s Baby on the way for Matildas star Sam Kerr and West Ham's Kristie Mewis Anna Houlahan • No comment s Fourth member of famous Canberra family becomes national champion David Polkinghorne • No comment s Star NBL basketballer 'sorry, not sorry' about biff with spectators Anna Houlahan • No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team.

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