Football Association Consider Relaying Wembley Pitch

I'm afraid laying pitches is always a hazardous business because you are never sure how that grass is going to bed in.The Football Association have confirmed it will make a decision over whether to relay the Wembley pitch after the weekend.

The pitch, which has been relaid ten times since the stadium opened in 2007, has come in for criticism following the FA Cup semi-finalsover the weekend.

The venue will host the rugby unionmatch between Saracens and Harlequins on Saturday and the FA will make a decision after the match.

An FA statement read: "Football is the number one priority and we understand we have to find a way to deliver and sustain a consistent quality pitch and replicate the successful formula that we developed in the second half of last year.

"We are currently reviewing all options to provide the best surface for the busy period going forward, including a probable pitch replacement. We will make this decision after the weekend."

Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson have both added their voices to the chorus of criticism levelled at the state of the playing surface at Wembley.

The pitch was once again the focus of attention at the weekend's FA Cup semi-finals, with firm pitch with a damp surface causing problems for players.

Senior groundsman such as Dave Saltman, former head groundsman at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, also branded it an "embarrassment" earlier on Tuesday.

McLeish feels it is a shame that the stadium's busy schedule has made it very difficult to maintain a decent playing surface.

"Wembley was renowned for its wonderful playing surface," McLeish told Sky Sports News.

"Just now it is looking a bit dodgy and it is a shame to see players slipping over on the turf in the last couple of weeks."

Hodgson echoed that viewpoint, adding: "It's sad but it does happen when you are constantly relaying pitches," he said.

"I experienced it at Inter when the pitch had to be relaid two or three times a year.

"I'm disappointed for the four teams playing in the semi-finals that they didn't get a good pitch to play on but it is one of those things I suppose and hopefully the FA will put it right."