Players from Global Cebu FC and Ceres Negros FC battle in a PFL game at the Cebu City Sports Center pitch.
CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO
CFA answers Ceres Negros’ complaint about Cebu City Sports Center pitch
Amid complaints from Ceres Negros FC about the “terrible” state of the Cebu City Sports Center football field, officials of the Cebu Football Association (CFA) said they believe the pitch was actually fit for play.
Ceres Negros lost, 1-0, to Global Cebu FC Wednesday in their Philippines Football League (PFL) match at the CCSC.
After the game, Ceres Negros FC blamed the pitch for their performance.
“If you let us play in a pitch like this, this is the best that we can do,” said Ceres Negros’ Martin Steuble after the loss.
Even before the game, Ceres Negros already worried about the field, saying it was “terrible.”
“If we expose them (players) to this kind of danger, we can’t compete in the highest level,” said Ceres Negros head coach Risto Vidakovic.
But the CFA believes the CCSC pitch was okay.
CFA vice president Rico Navarro said PFL match commissioner Richard Joson declared the pitch to be fit last Tuesday after a thorough inspection along with Vidakovic and Global Cebu officials.
He also said that the condition of the field will continue to improve as maintenance will go in preparation for another home game for Global Cebu this Sunday against Laguna Stallions FC.
Level playing field
CFA’s Dino Musni, the man who was tasked to rehabilitate CCSC’s pitch, was disappointed by the criticism about the field.
“They keep on complaining but let me ask them, where did Global play last Wednesday? They both played on the same pitch. And besides, the PFL match commissioner did not just approve the pitch condition right away. He monitored it weeks before the match, and he was updated with the progress of the rehab,” said Musni. “PFL won’t approve the pitch if it’s not playable in the first place.”
He also gave an assurance that the field will be better.
“It’s a tough job to grow new grass. It won’t grow instantly. But let me assure everyone that the pitch will be perfect in time.”
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