![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Sebastian-Gray.png\")
Sydney FC\u2019s Sebastian Gray.<\/p>\nSydney FC and their local council have provided more information about the decision to call off Saturday\u2019s men\u2019s A-League match against Auckland FC.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are extremely disappointed not to be able to host these important Christmas holiday fixtures, particularly the top of the table clash between ourselves and Auckland FC,\u201d the club\u2019s executive vice chairman Sebastian Gray said.<\/p>\n
The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) had previously announced the game could not go ahead at Sydney\u2019s Leichhardt Oval on Saturday December 27, 2025, because the pitch was \u201cunplayable\u201d and declared unsafe to play.<\/p>\n
Sydney FC\u2019s Sebastian Gray.<\/p>\n
The Inner West Council says the problem was that the pitch surface had taken longer than expected to recover from annual maintenance.<\/p>\n
The announced postponement \u2014 only four days ahead of the match \u2014 has disrupted travel plans for Auckland FC fans on both sides of the Tasman.<\/p>\n
The Auckland FC squad had been scheduled to fly to Sydney on Christmas Day.<\/p>\n
What they said: The host club<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know how disappointing this is for our Members and fans during the holiday period, especially given we\u2019ve had six great home games at Leichhardt Oval this season,\u201d executive vice chairman Sebastian Gray said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe worked hard to find alternative venues, however given the time of year we were unable to find anything suitable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to thank everyone for their continued support, the team at the club as well as our partners at Inner West Council who have worked hard to solve this issue, and we look forward to working with them in future.\u201d<\/p>\n
What they said: The council
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Peter-Gainsford.png\")
The council\u2019s Peter Gainsford.<\/p>\n
\u201cCouncil has been undertaking our annual playing field maintenance at Leichhardt Oval,\u201d Inner West Council general manager Peter Gainsford said.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, there has been a delay to the surface returning to the high-quality standard that we pride ourselves on.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis follows additional games in November scheduled at Leichhardt Oval as requested by Sydney FC.<\/p>\n
\u201cA number of grounds in Sydney are undergoing similar maintenance at this time, which is why no alternative grounds are available.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are confident it will be fit to play on by early January and look forward to welcoming Sydney FC back on January 9.\u201d<\/p>\n
What they said: The A-Leagues<\/p>\n
\u201cGround staff at the venue changed the field of play from a winter to summer grass following Sydney FC\u2019s last match at Leichhardt Oval against Melbourne Victory on November 22,\u201d the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cA follow-up pitch inspection on Monday has found the playing surface to be in an unsatisfactory condition, with large patches of sand and mud, and it\u2019s been declared unsafe for play.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Stephen-Conroy.png\")
APL\u2019s Stephen Conroy.<\/p>\n
APL chair Stephen Conroy said:\u00a0\u201cWe understand that weather and other factors can impact pitch maintenance and repairs, but for Leichhardt Oval to be unplayable and to be given little notice is unacceptable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s frustrating that football has to bear the burden of these pitch management issues. It\u2019s simply not good enough, and our game and our fans deserve better.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need venues to provide pitches that are maintained and presented to the required standard to ensure player safety and the highest quality football for our fans.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s vital that all tiers of government continue to upgrade venues, recognising that football is the fastest-growing sport in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we know these changes will inconvenience many \u2014 and for that we apologise \u2014 we\u2019d like to thank Sydney FC, Auckland FC and Brisbane Roar for their collaboration in moving these matches, and we look forward to the rescheduled fixtures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hasn\u2019t this happened before?<\/p>\n
Leichhardt Oval has long been one of Sydney football\u2019s most atmospheric venues, but recent seasons exposed problems that went beyond ageing stands.<\/p>\n
The sharpest criticism has centred on the playing surface, with concerns about safety, consistency and presentation in broadcast matches.<\/p>\n
That scrutiny peaked in November 2024, when the pitch was judged unfit to stage the Ninja A-League Women\u2019s Unite Round.<\/p>\n
A pitch inspection followed the Sydney derby at the ground and confirmed the surface did not meet the required standards.<\/p>\n
APL moved all six Unite Round matches to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, citing \u201cplayer safety and product quality.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Leichhardt-Oval-cr-Sydney-FC.png\")
Leichhardt Oval. Photo credit: Sydney FC.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/FOF-Weekday-Saturday.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Postponed.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n