The Goffert Stadium will remain closed for the time being, NEC reports via the official channels. The residents of Nijmegen therefore have to look for temporary accommodation to be able to play the upcoming home games. NEC is in talks with other clubs to find a stadium.
After the match against Vitesse (0-1 loss), a stand in the Goffert Stadium collapsed under the weight of hustling away supporters. The grandstand largely remained suspended thanks to a metal container that happened to be underneath. As a result, all supporters were unharmed. It is not yet known what caused the stand to collapse. An external agency is investigating this.
Following the incident last Sunday in the stadium in Nijmegen, environmental service ODRN discussed with the owner, the municipality of Nijmegen, on Tuesday that the stadium should be closed for the time being. The main building containing the reception, offices and catering will remain accessible.
NEC shows understanding for that decision. “We understand the choice of the municipality to close the stadium until further notice,” said spokesman Nick van der Cammen. “It is important for us that thorough research is carried out, whereby the safety of everyone in the stadium must be guaranteed in the future. At the same time, this decision means that we will look further at an external location to, at least for the short term, to finish our matches. The talks with other clubs and the KNVB have been going on since yesterday, because we were prepared for this.”
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