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He’d probably settle for three points but Kevin Muscat is eager to win an A-League turf war with Football Federation Australia.
The Melbourne Victory coach is begrudgingly leading his side to North Sydney Oval for an away day on Friday night against Central Coast.
At the centre of the conflict is the Oval’s centre wicket – which in recent years has been more used to cricket spikes than football boots.
Muscat and his players believe the ground is unsafe, while FFA have armed themselves with an independent consultant’s report saying it isn’t.
Victory have received the report but after being twice bitten by less than satisfactory surfaces already this season, Muscat made clear his disgust before boarding his flight north.
“(My players) don’t feel that the pitch is safe,” he said.
“It’s not only our players that have these concerns.
“The cricket pitch is still visible, some of the pitch is almost unplayable.”
The Mariners – who are hoping to draw a strong crowd to the marquee match – don’t share that view, with coach Phil Moss suggesting it could give them an edge.
“They’ve been going on about it for three weeks … maybe it’s in the back of their minds leading into the game and we’ll use it to our advantage,” he said.
“We played on it last year and it’s in a lot better nick than it was this time last year.”
The players’ union – Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) – is siding with Muscat’s men, suggesting there is an increased risk of injury including concussion, cuts and abrasions.
Chief executive Adam Vivian said FFA needed to step up and introduce workplace health and safety inspections.
A-League chief Damien de Bohun insists FFA has learned from the shambolic Adelaide Oval match, where grass was cut too short and over-watered.
“Amongst other things, the playing surface has been tested for moisture content, traction and firmness and all readings, taken from the goalmouths, wide areas and the centre of the field, are within the acceptable levels for professional football,” de Bohun said.
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