The New Wembley Stadium, opened in 2007, has been re-laid on 10 previous occasions to date. Now it has to be re-laid for the 11 time, after criticism from Premier League bosses following last weekends FA Cup Semi Finals. During the clashes, which featured Aston Villa, Chelsea, Portsmouth and Spurs, players struggled to keep their footing on the surface and complained of extreme fatigue afterwards.
It costs in the region of £100,000 to relay the pitch, bringing the total cost so far to a staggering £1.1m since it’s opening in 2007. Previous criticisms have come from Croatian manager Slaven Bilic who described the surface as being no good and not up to the standard of the old Wembley, Bilic’s claims have been backed up by Everton’s David Moyes, Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson.
The Stadium itself is serviced by bank debt, to pay for that debt the FA have leased it out for Concerts, Rugby League, Rugby Union, American Football and Wrestling which does nothing to help the surface knit together.
It is believed that the pitch could have to be relayed another 65 times in the next 12 years according to a top groundsman, which leaves the FA fitting a bill for up to £6.5m in the next 12 years and also paying off their massive debt for the building of the Stadium.
The latest surface will be ready for the FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Portsmouth on May 15 and also the League Play-Offs at the end of season. Wembley is also scheduled to hold the 2011 Champions League Final.
Lets hope they can get the surface right for these great spectacles in soccer.
