Coventry were forced to cancel their second home game of the season after Tuesday’s meeting with Wigan was postponed.
The Sky Blues share the Coventry City stadium with Rugby Union’s Wasps and relations between the two have soured recently.
The turf suffered so much damage during the Commonwealth Rugby Sevens Games that Coventry’s Championship opener against Rotherham was postponed.
The ground has not been maintained over the summer and recent heat waves have ended Wigan’s hosting plans this week.
Following an inspection by an EFL-appointed ‘agronomy firm’, Coventry were forced to postpone the game against the Latics.
In a lengthy statement posted on the club’s website, City general manager Dave Boddy blamed Wasps for the state of the playing surface.
Boddy said: “We are very disappointed to report the lack of improvement on the pitch, and again we are very disappointed for our supporters, players and staff that we have had to postpone Tuesday’s home game against Wigan Athletic.
“To be clear, it’s not the fault of the staff on the pitch.
“The promised investment in a new pitch, which was a fundamental part of the extensive negotiations for the club’s return, and then again a promise made publicly following the announcement of our return in March 2021, did not materialize. materialized and there were no major renovations or repairs over the summer either.
“Our concerns about the quality of the pitch were not addressed, and we were extremely disappointed to learn in June that Wasps had made the decision not to take any action to install a new surface.”
Boddy insists it is Coventry fans who are paying the price for the stadium’s pitch problems as he addresses the club’s next steps.
“We are still waiting, despite repeated requests and the high profile and urgent nature of this situation, for an ‘action plan’ from them to resolve this major issue, which they promised to implement publicly last Saturday,” he said. Boddy added.
“The pitch has now been independently deemed unsafe and unplayable by agronomists and previously by EFL match officials, and we are desperate to see this resolved.
“We will continue to keep supporters informed and provide further news as soon as possible.”
Coventry are now considering legal action against Wasps following the latest postponement, according to the Telegraph.
The report adds that the Championship club could sue their Rugby Premiership owners for failing to provide a “safe and fit for purpose” playing surface.
Coventry are also said to be keen for Wasps to compensate them for any loss of income during the ongoing saga.
The news comes as former Crystal Palace owner and talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan has admitted he is considering buying Coventry.
He told talkSPORT’s White and Jordan: “It’s something I already looked at with Gary Hoffman years ago before he became Premier League chairman.
“It’s something I’m potentially watching right now because it’s in play.
“So yeah, it’s something I’m looking at because the football club is for sale.
“Whether it’s for me to buy with other people is a different discussion, but it’s for sale and it’s a football club I’m encouraged to watch, so it’s not something I I don’t know.”
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