Friday, November 5, 2021 at 3:51 PM• Yanick Vos • Last update: 15:59

NEC is in talks with national and foreign parties that can build emergency stadiums, director Wilco van Schaik said. On Friday morning it was announced that NEC supporters cannot return to their own stadium for the time being. The Goffert is unsafe, according to research by engineers from Royal Haskoning DHV.

NEC director Van Schaik hopes that the club can play in its own stadium again as soon as possible. “The worst-case scenario is that in February we hear that the stadium is no longer accessible at all and that we have to repair or replace the stadium,” he is realistic against. ESPN. “If you have to do that, it will take you longer. That means you may not be able to play there for the entire season.”

If it is no longer possible for the Nijmegen residents to play with supporters in De Goffert this season, they will look at alternatives. “That is why we have now submitted an application to national and foreign parties that can build a stadium. Emergency stadiums, stadiums for ten to twelve thousand people,” says Van Schaik. “In the short term, we are thinking that we cannot play at home until December, so we have to look for an alternative location for the matches against PSV and Cambuur. That’s two more home games until winter.”

Royal Haskoning DHV’s investigation was carried out after part of the grandstand collapsed on 17 October after the match between NEC and Vitesse. The stands collapsed due to jumping Vitesse supporters. The findings were presented at a press conference on Friday morning. There appear to be cracks in the concrete of the stands. “All the lower elements of the stands do not meet the safety requirements and something needs to be done about that. The higher elements need further research”, engineer Erik Middelkoop from Haskoning was quoted as saying by the General Newspaper.

In recent weeks, NEC has looked at the possibilities of temporarily moving to another stadium. Van Schaik explained during the press moment on Friday morning that eight different clubs and municipalities have been spoken to. However, due to the fan riots surrounding the derby against Vitesse, NEC is not wanted by any club or municipality. “We will continue to look for alternative options for our home games.”