Pitch woes could cause soccer shift

Olympic organisers said on Tuesday they might be forced to switch soccer games away from Canberra because of worries that its new playing surface would not be ready.

The Bruce Stadium pitch was relaid earlier this month and officials said the grass, grown in Cairns in tropical north Queensland, had been affected by Canberra's colder weather.

"There's a very real chance if the pitch is unsatisfactory it has to be moved," said John Coates, Australian Olympic Committee president and vice president of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (SOCOG).

"You can't compromise the standards that have to be provided for the athletes, no matter what the repercussions, you've got to change," Coates told the Australian Associated Press.

Officials will decide on Wednesday whether new grass should be put down but Coates said he wanted a decision by Sunday on whether to change venues.

"If it doesn't (take) or the signs are that it is not going to get us there by the first game...then we'll have to take the first games at least to the other cities of Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide," he said.

Hosts Australia play Germany in the opening women's fixture on September 13 in Canberra, followed by a men's game between the United States and Czech Republic.

SOCOG soccer official Peter Morris added: "One of the options is to replace part or all of some of that turf...it is not up to acceptable standard."

The Olympic soccer tournament was to be played at six stadiums. Coates said only the other Olympic sites would be considered as alternatives because of concerns over security and television broadcasting.

Grass was also relaid at the 40,000-seat Sydney Football Stadium a week ago, without any problems. The main Olympic Stadium, which hosts the men's soccer final on September 30, will have its pitch relaid after the opening ceremony on September 15.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground will be resurfaced after the Australian Football League final on Sunday. Soccer will also be played at the Brisbane Cricket Ground and at Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide.

Related Stories:

Aussie skipper breaks a leg

Japan to miss soccer star

Japan, South Korea look to boost Cup hopes

China's soccer Roses bloom

Barcelona 3, Real Madrid 0 in Spain squad

Injured star jinxes Aussie hopes

Golden Eagles get ready to soar

Name squad or else, Nigerian coach told

Organisers play down soccer pitch woes

Romario misses out on Olympics

Soccer sells, Rivaldo or no

Rivaldo happy to be out of Sydney