A TURF war of words has broken out between a York company and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The York contractor responsible for the pitch during Wales' rugby union clash with England said it was consulting its lawyers after the company was suspended.

Inturf, of Wilberfoss, was suspended by the stadium after the recently-laid pitch in Cardiff "cut up" badly and affected play during Wales's 11-9 victory over England in the RBS Six Nations.

Stadium manager Paul Sergeant claimed the pitch was "embarrassing" and called in a team of consultants to improve the surface before Wales played in a football friendly tonight.

Alex Edwards, joint managing director of Inturf, based at Wilberfoss, said the way in which the company was told was "wrong".

But Mr Edwards said it was true that the pitch had cut, but maintained there were "justifiable" reasons as to why that happened.

"I am resentful of the way in which we were told. The way in which we were told that the contract was being ended was wrong," he said.

"We were informed by mobile phone on Sunday evening. There was no formal consultation. It came as a huge shock."

Mr Edwards said Inturf had won business awards and had worked on "some of the most prestigious and high-profile sports stadiums in the world".

A Millennium Stadium statement confirmed Inturf had been suspended.

Mr Sergeant said a new team of pitch consultants had been brought in and that he had liaised with the Sports Turf Research Institute over the difficulties.

He said: "What happened during the game last Saturday was unfortunate and embarrassing. We can't hide from the facts and we can't make excuses.

"What we have done since the game ended on Saturday night is discuss the issues with our contractors, introduce a new team of experts who have experience of managing our palletised system and looked for the best possible solution for Wednesday night's game."

Mr Edwards said: "It (the pitch) did cut up, but there were justifiable explanations. We are dealing with nature. It is not an exact science."

He said the company was looking for an "amicable solution" but said that although it was not taking legal action at the moment, it had consulted its advisors.

Aside from the Millennium Stadium, Inturf has a strong connection with Celtic Manor Golf Club, where the Welsh Open golf tournament is played.

It has also supplied turf to St James' Park, in Newcastle, tennis courts at Wimbledon, and also supplied turf at the former Wembley Stadium.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, February 09, 2005