Part of stand at Dutch club collapses as Vitesse Arnhem fans celebrate - in pictures

No injuries reported as section at NEC Nijmegen's Goffert Stadium collapses at end of Eredivisie match

A view of the stands which collapsed after the fans of Vitesse were jumping on it during the Dutch Eredivisie match between NEC and Vitesse Arnhem in De Goffert in Venlo, Netherlands, 17 October 2021. EPA / VINCENT JANNINK

A view of the stand at NEC Nijmegen's Goffert Stadium which collapsed after Vitesse Arnhem fans celebrated their team's 1-0 Eredivisie win. There were no reports of injuries. EPA

Vitesse Arnhem players salute their supporters as they stand on a collapsed stand after the Dutch Eredivisie match against NEC Nijmegen. AFP

A small section of a stand at Dutch top-flight club NEC Nijmegen's Goffert Stadium collapsed on Sunday as fans of visiting Vitesse Arnhem celebrated their team's 1-0 victory.

Arnhem players were celebrating on the pitch in front of their fans when the lowest section of the stand collapsed. About 35 people were standing on the section that was affected. There were no reports of any injuries.

One player put his hands on his head when it happened before other players punched the air when it became apparent that nobody had been hurt.

Fans quickly clambered upwards, away from the affected part of the stand.

NEC director Wilco van Schaik told Dutch broadcaster NOS that, as far as he knew, nobody was injured. “There was a container under the stand and that prevented anything more serious,” he said.

Nijmegen Mayor Hubert Bruls said he was shocked.

“Luckily, as far as we know, nobody was injured. I want an investigation as quickly as possible into what happened here,” Bruls told NOS.

"It was shocking," Vitesse defender Riechedly Bazoer told Dutch broadcaster NOS. "Fortunately, everyone survived."

"A stadium which should be safe is collapsing. This must be investigated," the Netherlands' KNVB football federation said.

Nikolai Baden Frederiksen scored the winner in the first half to move up to sixth in the Eredivisie. Vitesse host Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.