After suffering embarrassment nationally after pretty much getting killed by player and manager following two FA Cup Semi Finals, Wembley officials have agreed to replace the pitch during the summer after conceding the current in unacceptable.

Via TimesOnline 

Wembley was formerly regarded as having one of the finest playing surfaces in the world, but the new stadium, opened two years ago, has suffered a constant barrage of criticism. This will be the sixth time that the pitch has been replaced, at a total cost estimated at close to £1 million.

However, there are still no guarantees that the new one will be any better as the FA conceded yesterday that groundstaff were struggling with the unique demands of a massive stadium that generates its own “microclimate” of heat, humidity and light. The turf has to be rolled up and ditched each time there is a rock concert.

Fabio Capello, the England manager, has let it be known that he is deeply concerned at the number of concert dates and, according to Wenger, it is the national side who have most to lose from playing on a hopelessly slow pitch. The Arsenal manager warned that the long-term damage could be to an England team consigned to playing international fixtures on a pitch that is nowhere near as good as surfaces at any of the 20 grounds in the Barclays Premier League. It was 21st in the list, he said.

“Before, everybody wanted to play at Wembley because the pitch was so special,” Wenger said. “Now, nobody wants to play at Wembley because the pitch is bad. When you spend nearly £800 million, I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask for a good pitch.

“Of course it’s handicapping the national team. Do you think Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney don’t want to play on a good pitch? Of course they do. Wembley is not good enough for the Champions League final, the Olympic Games or even the FA Cup semi-final.

“Why? When you build a new stadium, the first priority is that the pitch is good. If that’s not right, the whole stadium is bad. It doesn’t matter how much money you spend.”

Image via ThisIsLondon