Vitesse’s 1-0 victory over NEC in the Eredivisie on Sunday was marred by shocking scenes as the stand housing their jubilant fans collapsed underneath them on Sunday
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Football stand collapses beneath celebrating Vitesse supporters
A stand full of football supporters collapsed on Sunday afternoon following Vitesse’s 1-0 win over NEC in the Eredivisie.
The clip of jubilant Vitesse fans, who are bouncing in celebration following their side’s slender victory, being left stunned after the partial collapse of the structure beneath them has gone viral.
It has since been confirmed that, miraculously, everybody involved has escaped serious harm.
The Dutch side have made a positive start to the new season and currently lie in sixth spot following their win over NEC.
Thomas Letsch’s side are set to host Tottenham in this week’s round of Europa Conference League fixtures.
They warmed up for that European clash in perfect fashion, with Nikolai Baden Frederiksen firing Vitesse to victory against their rivals.
The Dutch side are now unbeaten in their last four Eredivisie games after beating Feyenoord before the international break.
But the result was marred shortly after as Vitesse’s players witnessed the collapse up close after they went to greet visiting fans at the final whistle.
Vitesse’s fans were jumping up and down in celebration before disaster struck – with players visibly concerned with the scenes unfolding in front of them.
But any concerns were quickly allayed as the fans continued their jubilant celebrations to indicate that everyone involved had somehow escaped without harm.
Vitesse and NEC are rivals in the Dutch top flight, with the travelling fans visibly delighted over their side’s big win prior to their celebrations being prematurely halted.
The mayor of Nijmegen, Hubert Bruls, has shared his concern following the incident but did confirm that nobody was injured in the alarming scenes.
“I am very shocked by what happened,” Bruls is quoted as saying by De Telegraaf. “Fortunately, as far as is known, no one was injured.
“I want an investigation into what happened here as soon as possible.”
Any investigation will likely be a priority following the sheer amount of people who were at risk at the time of the stadium’s structural failure.
Vitesse’s clash with Spurs on Thursday will be unaffected as the incident happened at NEC’s Goffertstadion – although the scenes will highlight concerns over supporter safety throughout Europe.
The alarming event has occurred just weeks after a small number of Premier League and Championship sides were given the green light to trial safe standing.
NEC’s stadium hasn’t had any previous safety concerns, with the stadium only being converted into an all-seater area at the turn of the Millenium.
The new stadium was originally opened in 1939 by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands before it was reopened in January 2000 following the seating developments.
