CAPE Town City FC will be playing their home Absa
Premiership clash against Maritzburg United away from home at Durban’s Princess
Magogo Stadium tonight (7.30pm).
The Citizens are in a turf war with the City of Cape Town over the use of the Cape Town Stadium.
A furious City chairman John Comitis lashed out at the city council last week, while his head coach Benni McCarthy sent out an open letter slamming the council.
This was due to the fact that his club had to play this home match in Durban because there are no stadiums available in Cape Town.
The Cape Town Stadium will be hosting the World Rugby Sevens event this weekend.
However, city councillor Stuart Diamond has hit back at Comitis and McCarthy after the story of City’s plight was published in Daily Sun last Friday.
In a statement to Daily Sun, Diamond said: “I am quite flabbergasted by this about-turn by Cape Town City FC, which comes on the back of a CT City article two weeks ago thanking and commending city officials and me personally for our support and willingness to go the extra mile.
“This about-turn is dishonest, as it does not reflect the facts.
“While it is regrettable that Cape Town cannot, through sheer demand, host every premier sporting event at the Cape Town Stadium and we note CT City’s concerns, we feel bound to point out that the match in question was always scheduled to be played at Athlone Stadium.
“Cape Town City were aware of this and were informed well in advance that the Cape Town Stadium wasn’t available.”
Due to the severe drought in the Western Cape, the Athlone Stadium has become unplayable due to the grass dying from overuse.
Added Diamond: “CT City subsequently asked if we would engage with Saru (SA Rugby Union) to ask them to make an exception regarding Cape Town Stadium and, in addition, enquire on the availability of Newlands Stadium. We did and the answer was negative on both fronts.
“Newlands has already started its remedial work and is not playable.
“CT City then requested that we assist them with a letter to the PSL asking for the game to be played away. We obliged and did not turn them away.
“CT City must be honest with supporters and not unfairly attack the City, which remains committed to working with all sports clubs.”
) As a result of this, Ajax Cape Town are also forced to play their home match against Chippa United away at Milpark Stadium in Joburg on Saturday (8.15pm).
