Wasps played their last home game of the past season on May 20th
Wasps Group CEO Stephen Vaughan says he is “sad” at criticism of the Premiership rugby club for its “unsafe playing field”.
The Championship Club also changed the home game at the Carabao Cup on Wednesday to Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.
“In May we informed CCFC that we would not be passing on the pitch,” said Vaughan.
“There was no objection to this at the time or at any other time.
“We were saddened to see information and stories released in the press without our prior knowledge and this news was relayed to the football club.
Vaughan added that the contract to host Commonwealth Games events at the stadium outside Coventry has been signed determined to return to the ground, in March 2021.
“They were fully aware of the timing of events.”
During the Commonwealth Games, 65 Rugby Sevens matches were played in the Coventry Building Society Arena over three days
Vaughan points out City were advised to rotate the first home games of the season – as the pitch would never have been ready in time after such heavy use.
“But we have been informed by CCFC that this is not possible,” he said.
“Sixty-five Rugby 7s matches were played at the arena in three days and a pitch, new or established, could not withstand this wear and tear and be in pristine condition a week later, regardless of the efforts of the ground staff.
“Maintaining a dual sport pitch is always a challenge so recent unique circumstances have been particularly difficult and of course have taken a huge toll on the pitch.
“Despite what some may think, we want CCFC to play all of their home games here and it does no one any good if issues like this are played out in public with incorrect or missing information.
Vaughan said Coventry’s Carabao Cup game had been postponed “without another pitch inspection”, adding he hoped the club “feel they were able” to play their next Championship home game against Wigan on June 16. to play in the stadium in August.
“We have agreed that an independent agronomist chosen by the EFL can come to the arena and conduct his own inspection of the pitch.
“We hope they feel it can be played on and I know as professionals they are aware and understand of the circumstances around the pitch lately.”
“Don’t get involved in lengthy public discussions”
In the statement, Vaughan also said it was “extremely disappointing” “to once again defend himself against rumors and allegations”.
“We’re not going to engage in a lengthy public discussion about this, which isn’t going to benefit anyone, but we felt we had to make sure people had the right information,” he added.
Wasps first became the town’s landlords when they moved in, but bought the property in December 2014 – shortly after the Sky Blues returned to the town from a 14-month exile in Northampton after a dispute over rent.
But they have been under financial strain, especially since the Covid pandemic and requested millions of pounds of public money in June by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
The stadium was jointly owned by Arena Coventry Ltd, built in part from a trust fund left by a Sky Blues fan when City moved there for housing in 2005 following the controversial sale of their previous home, Highfield Road.
Another row then saw City play two seasons at St Andrew’s in Birmingham before returning to Coventry last year.
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