Portuguese Primera Liga football club Porto’s away match against Estoril was abandoned yesterday (Monday) amid fears that a stand at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota stadium would collapse.
Security ordered supporters in the away stand to leave immediately after damage to the foundation began appearing.
Approximately 2,500 Porto away fans fled their seats and crossed the pitch to safety. Despite being safe from a collapsing stand in the home end, organisers were concerned with over-crowding and moved to suspend the game at half-time.
Por problemas na estrutura de uma bancada do estádio, os adeptos foram evacuados para o relvado, por indicação das forças de segurança. A 2ª parte ainda não começou.#FCPorto #GDEPFCP pic.twitter.com/nLfHQ729Fa
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) January 15, 2018
The Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mot was built in 1939 and was renovated during the 2009-2010 season.
A statement on the Estoril website read: “After meeting the entities of Estoril Praia, FC Porto, Liga Portugal and Security Forces, it was understood that the security conditions were not met for the game to continue.
“The interruption is linked to the fact that part of the north side of the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota had damage in the middle, which caused some alarm and that led the authorities to safely evacuate the entire stand in question.
“In due time, the fans who have come to watch the game will be informed about how they will be compensated for the tickets they acquired.”
Porto’s website posted a statement of its own, confirming the match had yet to be rescheduled.
“The match Estoril-FCP (Porto), scheduled for this Monday evening, for matchday 18 of Liga NOS, has been suspended at half-time, for safety reasons,” the message read.
“No date to resume the match has been set, as the decisions will have to be reached by agreement between both clubs – out of the question is the chance to play it on Tuesday, January 16.”
As imagens que mostram a falta de condições de segurança no estádio do Estoril. Vê todas as fotos aqui ▶https://t.co/7xuu9mQTbr#FCPorto #GDEPFCP pic.twitter.com/qypmsnsZJq
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) January 16, 2018
Image: FC Porto twitter
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