Tony Pignata...AFL must be “scared” of football

SYDNEY FC have branded the AFL “a disgrace” for refusing to allow Etihad Stadium to host the A-League grand final, forcing it to be played at the 30,000-capacity AAMI Park.

Just 3500 tickets will be sold to Sky Blues members and supporters for Sunday’s game against Melbourne Victory, only a quarter of their total number of members, due to the hugely limited capacity of AAMI Park.

Victory fans will get 22,000 tickets as the home team, when the on sale for both sides starts at 9am on Monday.

Football Federation Australia had wanted to play the game at Etihad Stadium, with almost twice the capacity, but the AFL refused to move the game between Western Bulldogs and Fremantle Dockers scheduled for Sunday.

Sydney CEO Tony Pignata said the AFL must be “scared” of football not to have agreed to move the Bulldogs-Dockers game.

“I’m disappointed that agreement couldn’t be reached between FFA and the AFL to use Etihad Stadium,” Pignata said. “I’m from Melbourne, I follow AFL and enjoy the footy — just as a lot of the fans who go to the game will be AFL followers.

“But I just don’t know what the AFL are scared of, really it’s a disgrace that they wouldn’t agree to move the Bulldogs game. AAMI Park is a great venue from a footballing purists’ point of view, it’ll be packed to the rafters and a great atmosphere.

“But we have 12,000 members, and only a quarter of them will be able to get tickets — they’re really angry and understandably so. I’ve had loads of messages via social media and it’s very unfair that almost three-quarters of our members can’t get a ticket.”

Pignata said the AFL and the Victorian government had to share responsibility for limiting football’s end-of-season showpiece.

“I think FFA did as much as possible — maybe the Victorian government could have done more to put pressure on the AFL. It just looks like AFL are scared of football. I know we’re a rising force but we’re all for coexistence. There are four codes in this country and we have to work together.

“It would be great to move the game to a neutral venue like ANZ, but I fully acknowledge that Melbourne Victory have earned the right to play in front of their own members and supporters. It’s just bitterly disappointing there won’t be more of both sides’ supporters able to be at the game.”

FFA CEO David Gallop said the date for next year’s grand final would be released next month to avoid a repeat of the situation.

“This year there was a mix up in dates which no one has accepted responsibility for, we don’t expect that to happen again,’’ Gallop said.

“We will provide a date for next year’s grand final in the next month or so and trust that all parties, including the State Government, Etihad Stadium management and the AFL, will ensure the situation we are faced with this year will never happen again.’’

Victory has sold out its two grand final wins at Etihad Stadium, drawing 55,436 for Archie Thompson’s five-goal blitz against Adelaide United in 2006-07, while 53,273 attended two years later when Tommy Pondeljak’s goal was the difference against the same team.

And 50,873 attended last Friday’s semi-final, where Victory prevailed 3-0 over Melbourne City.