AZ Alkmaar: Football club's stadium roof collapses amid high winds in Netherlands

Katy Clifton11 August 2019

A large section of the roof has collapsed at Dutch club AZ Alkmaar's stadium due to strong winds across the Netherlands.

There were no injuries from the partial collapse at AFAS Stadion, the Dutch Eredivisie club's general manager Robert Eenhorn said at a press conference where he also announced an investigation into the incident.

He said: "This surprised us all. We are very shocked but especially happy that there was no human suffering.

"In the coming days we will conduct a study with experts in this field. Only when that investigation has been done can we elaborate on the matter. It is much too early for that now."

The damage to the roof of the AFAS Stadium
EPA

AZ Alkmaar were not playing when the roof fell at their 17,000-capacity stadium, which was officially opened for a friendly against Arsenal in August 2006.

Their next home game is a Europa League third-round qualifier against Ukraine's FC Mariupol on Thursday.

AFAS Stadium of soccer club AZ Alkmaar in Alkmaar
EPA

But Eenhorn was not able to confirm if the match would proceed as planned. He said: "No matches will be played in the stadium if the situation is not safe."

The side are due to play their second match in the Dutch top league away to RKL Waalwijk on Sunday.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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