There had been a power cut inside the stadium, but the problem has now been fixed
A loud bang has been heard outside the San Marino stadium just hours before England‘s World Cup qualifier against the minnows.
In a live broadcast at the Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle, Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett provided an update, indicating that the power had gone out and that electricians had been spotted going into the stadium to assess the problem.
He said: “I don’t want to overplay or worry anyone at this stage, but about 20 minutes or so ago here inside the Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle, in San Marino, we heard a loud bang and then some light plumes of smoke came from a building over to the right of me and all the power has gone out in the stadium.”
“The floodlights, every bit of light in the stands behind me in the main stand. As I’m talking to you now, a number of electricians are trying to work on the plant unit in the plant room which we’ve seen and it has a big electrical unit which has been blackened by smoke, so clearly the power is out.”
🇸🇲 💥 Large bang heard at San Marino's stadium. No power at the stadium at the moment ahead of their game against England.
[via @RobDorsettSky] pic.twitter.com/kyILgXZ7r9
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 15, 2021
There were no overall fears that the game would have to be suspended or rescheduled to a different date, but in the last few moments, there has since been another update which confirmed that the issue has been solved and power has returned to the stadium, as shown in the video below.
This is the second time England have had stadium issues on their travels after their last away trip – a visit to Andorra – saw their game put in doubt after the stadium caught fire in the run-up to the game.
That problem was thankfully also resolved and just like tonight (Monday 15 November), the game didn’t have to be suspended.
England need just a point against San Marino to confirm their place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar next year.
Related links:
- England players to discuss what action they will take about human rights issues in Qatar
- England’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra to go ahead despite fire
- Fire breaks out Andorra’s stadium ahead of World Cup qualifier against England
