Tromso's Eliteserien match against Bodo/Glimt was suspended on Sunday after several supporters fell through a section of Romssa Arena that gave way. Emergency services were dispatched to the stadium and away fans were evacuated after the incident, which occurred around 40 goalless minutes into the game.
Collapse in Away Section
An area where Bodo fans were standing collapsed, causing several supporters to drop through the stands, according to reports. Norwegian outlet NRK reported that Bodo media manager Simen Pedersen revealed that as many as five supporters had fallen through, with one individual transferred to hospital. The remaining casualties were assessed on the ground and appeared to be OK.
Pedersen reportedly confirmed the supporter taken to hospital was conscious. Police will examine the incident, which occurred in the section housing approximately 600 visiting supporters.
Match Suspended and Resumed
Both sets of players retreated to their respective dressing rooms after Bodo goalkeeper Nikita Haikin gestured desperately towards the referee to bring play to a halt. A message on Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 displayed: "The match is temporarily suspended due to an accident in the stands."
The stand was not used when play resumed, with Bodo scoring the game's opening goal in the second minute of first-half added time.
Title Race Implications
Bodo are second to defending champions Viking on goals scored after 25 matches, but would go top with a win after kicking off before their title rivals this weekend. The four-time champions of Norway are 25th in this season's Champions League league phase after a 0-0 draw with Lille last week.
Bodo narrowly lost to Napoli in their previous match, having beaten Borussia Dortmund a week earlier, bouncing back from their 5-0 loss to Bayern Munich. As for Tromso, they sit sixth in the Eliteserien, but would move up one place if they can turn this match around.
Just four matches remain in this league season, which concludes in mid-December. Bodo will be hoping for a favour from Tromso after the international break when they host Viking, with the title challengers having already played them twice this season, losing 5-0 away before beating them 3-2 late last month.
