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The Hague, Aug 30 (IANS)
AZ Alkmaar coach Gertjan Verbeek walks by a firetruck outside the AFAS Stadium in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, on August 29, 2013. The Europa League match between AZ Alkmaar and Greek Atromitos was stopped after one hour due to a fire in the stadium. The stadium was evacuated. (OLAF KRAAK/AFP/Getty Images)
The Europa League play-off match between Dutch club AZ and Greek side Atromitos Athinon has been abandoned due to fire in the stadium in Alkmaar.
The match was suspended in the 60th minute after a small fire broke out in a sky-box in the stadium. The spectators were asked to leave the stadium because a lot of smoke arose from one side of the stadium, reports Xinhua.
Due to the fire the stadium lighting also fell after which the emergency plan became effective with all the people being evacuated immediately. The fire brigade were on site quickly to control the fire. No casualties were reported.
According to UEFA rules, the match had to be resumed after half an hour but that was not possible. Therefore the European football association, UEFA, decided to abandon the match and to reschedule the remainder for 11 a.m. Friday, just ahead of the draw for the group phase.
After the 3-1 win of AZ in Greece, Atromitos Athinon were leading 1-0 in Alkmaar. AZ midfielder Markus Henriksen received a red card in the second minute while Dimitrios Papadopoulos missed a penalty in the 20th minute and scored in 53rd minute.
