Sports Council Seeks Compromise with Footballers on M.C.C. Use

For the past several weeks, there has been controversy brewing over the use of the football pitch at the MCC Grounds.  The sporting facility is utilized for a number of activities, including recreational football, by several unassigned teams.  The wear and tear on the turf was so bad that the field was shut down for several months before the National Sports Council was able to have it resurfaced.  Following the rehabilitation of the green, new rules were implemented, prohibiting the playing of five-a-side games since it is believed to be the main cause of the deterioration of the field.  According to Sports Director Ian Jones, leisure players were informed of the new rules, despite the facility being made available to them.  Of late, they have been complaining about being shut out from using the MCC Grounds, arguing that it provides many a south side youth with an ideal location to participate in the sport without fear of being targeted.  Today, Jones told us that the facility is open under two conditions, that they inform the organization in advance so that they can be scheduled and that they refrain from playing five-a-side football.  In speaking with one of the athletes, he said that they are in the process of resolving the issue with the National Sports Council.