Pitch at Wembley to be relaid for the eleventh time

A new pitch is to be installed at the Wembley, the eleventh since the famous football venue re-opened in 2007, the English Football Association (FA) said today.

"Wembley Stadium can confirm that a new pitch will be installed, with work commencing today," said a statement on the FA website (www.thefa.com).

"The pitch will be the same type as was used in the latter part of last year. We will continue to refine the installation and maintenance regime to build on the formula that was successful during that period."

The pitch was described as "an absolute disgrace" by Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp after last week's shock FA Cup semi-final defeat by relegated club Portsmouth.

It has also been criticised by leading managers, including England's Fabio Capello, Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, and Manchester United's Alex Ferguson.

Wembley has a busy schedule of matches over the next few weeks, including the FA Cup final, England's World Cup warm-up game against Mexico, and playoff and minor cup finals.

The rock band Green Day are due to play a concert there in June.

The stadium staged a Rugby Union match on Saturday between Saracens and Harlequins watched by a 47,000-strong crowd, one of a number of money-raising non-soccer events the stadium hosts as the FA seeks to pay off the £800 million ($1.28 billion) it cost to rebuild.