Dutch Eredivisie football club AZ Alkmaar has revealed that it hopes to return to its AFAS Stadion before the league’s winter break following the high-profile roof collapse at the venue.
AZ has been forced to play matches away from AFAS Stadion after the roof partially collapsed at the beginning of August. The club revealed that the incident, which led to no injuries, was caused by strong winds.
Work is taking place to take down three quarters of the stadium’s roof structure, before developing a new design that will be installed at the end of the current 2019-20 season. AZ is currently playing its ‘home’ games at Cars Jeans Stadion, home of rival Eredivisie club ADO Den Haag.
AZ was due to stay in The Hague until the Eredivisie’s winter break, but the club revealed fresh plans are in place in its annual financial report. “In mid-December 2019, AZ hopes to be able to play again at the AFAS Stadion with the necessary adjustments,” the report stated.
AZ is insured for both material and consequential damage. The report added: “The total extent of the damage cannot yet be determined.”
Image: AZ Alkmaar
