Windsor Stadium has come under fire after fans reported problems when trying to exit the venue after Northern Ireland’s Fifa 2018 World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on Friday.
Supporters using the west stand were forced to make their way around large puddles of dirty water that formed after heavy rain flooded an access road, with many fans reporting long delays when trying to leave. Construction work is currently taking place along the access route as part of the redevelopment of the nearby Olympia leisure centre.
Keith Anderson, one of the fans in attendance to see Northern Ireland win 4-0, said on social media platform Twitter that trying to leave the stadium was an “absolute joke”.
Speaking to BBC News Northern Ireland, he added: “I would hate to think of what would have happened if we had to get out quickly in an emergency.”
The Irish Football Association sent a message from its official Twitter account to apologise for the delays, saying that it was “working with the relevant bodies to sort asap”.
The national governing body later said in a statement: “The walkway between the Boucher Road entrance and the national football stadium at Windsor Park is owned by Belfast City Council and is part of the new Olympia leisure centre being built behind the west stand.
“The Irish Football Association will be in contact with the council and the relevant contractors to ensure that suitable improvements are made to the walkway ahead of Tuesday night's game between Northern Ireland and Croatia.”
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