Sydney FC's decision to play on the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday night has had disastrous consequences for Melbourne Victory.
Not only did Kevin Muscat's side fall to a late 2-1 defeat, but key midfielder Terry Antonis was also forced off injured after slipping on a very poor surface.
Antonis fell under no contact in the second-half on a divet where the cricket pitch had been covered up and limped from the field in visible pain with his left knee.
The pitch, which hosted an NRL match on Thursday night, was noticeably scratchy with fans and former players less than impressed the game went ahead on it.
Former Victory player Archie Thompson stressing that such a big game deserved better with player safety put in jeopardy.
"A pitch like that for such an important game is so disappointing," Thompson said on Fox Sports.
"It puts players at risk."
The extent of Antonis' injury remains unknown with the player in clear discomfort on the sidelines after being substituted.
Victory coach Kevin Muscat was concerned for his player post-game and is adamant the A-League deserves better than what the SCG surface offered.
"That is simply not good enough," Muscat said.
"The reality is if we accept that as a code of football we are going nowhere in a hurry."
