AZ Alkmaar’s AFAS Stadion roof collapses in high winds

Images showed the centre of the Molenaar Stand on the north side of the ground caved in on itself. No one was present at the time and there are no reported injuries

Part of the roof over AZ Alkmaar’s AFAS Stadion collapsed following strong winds across the Netherlands on Saturday.

Images showed the centre of the Molenaar Stand on the north side of the ground caved in on itself. No one was present at the time and there are no reported injuries.

AZ played their first match of the new Eredivisie season in the stadium last Sunday. Their next home match, against Ukranian side Mariupol in the Europa League on Thursday, will be rescheduled.

“There was nobody in the stadium at the time of the collapse,” a club spokesperson said. “The management and stakeholders of the club are now on their way. We are still looking into the cause.”

The AFAS stadium was opened in 2006 and carries a capacity of 17,000 spectators.