Manchester City had to evacuate the Etihad Stadium when a pre-match event featuring their new signings ended with a stand catching fire before their Champions League game.
Manchester City have said the “fire has now been extinguished” and the “safety of all attending the match tonight is our top priority” ahead of their Champions League clash with Club Brugge.
The contest, which is a must win for the Premier League champions if they want to keep their European hopes alive, was interrupted hours before kick-off when a fire broke out at the Etihad Stadium. An area outside the stadium was evacuated after a merchandise stand caught fire.
Supporters had gathered outside the main reception for a presentation of City’s January signings, which includes Egyptian star Omar Marmoush. But the event was suspended as flames took hold of the stand and stewards moved fans away before fire services arrived.
The contest was scheduled to kick-off at 8pm – in line with all of Wednesday night’s games – and that is still expected to be the case.
City have now said: “Manchester City FC can confirm that there has been a fire in one of the outside merchandise kiosks, located near the entrance to the Colin Bell West Stand. Emergency services are present at the scene and the fire has now been extinguished.
“The safety of all attending the match tonight is our top priority, and as such all events planned for West Stand reception have been cancelled, including the welcome event for new players, and the first team arrival.”
None of City’s three recent signing were eligible to play against Club Brugge due to Champions League registration rules – thus freeing them up to take part in the event before it was curtailed.
The Premier League side have continued to come up short in Europe this term. They’ve suffered defeats to Juventus and PSG, the latter coming last week despite them taking a 2-0 lead in the second-half. They also let a three-goal led slip against Feyenoord at home.
City bossPep Guardiolasaid: “The situation that we have is that we have to win the game and if not we will not continue in this competition. We want to have another chance to play another two games, to have the chance of the next stages. It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity.”
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