OXFORD’S jinxed home game with Wigan was hit by a suspected fire, floodlight power failure and a stadium evacuation.
Some of the lights went out at half time with the score goalless before officials and media could smell burning in the main stand.
The fire brigade arrived at Oxford’s stadium to resolve the issueCredit: Rex Features
Oxford boss Karl Robinson waits outside the stadiumCredit: Rex Features
Karl Robinson chats to the fire brigade while waiting for the second half to commenceCredit: Rex Features
Oxford called for the fire brigade and three fire engines turned up at the ground while calls went out to evacuate the stadium.
Both teams were led out of the Kassam Stadium while officials and media were told to stand in the car park along with doctors, nurses and stewards.
There were 60 NHS staff and volunteers in the stadium at the same time conducting Covid-19 vaccinations with 600 jabs planned for the day.
After a 55 minute delay, referee Brett Huxtable allowed the match to kick-off again after the players had a quick warm up.
Oxford boss Karl Robinson, who was pictured chatting to the fire brigade outside, detailed what happened.
He said: “We could smell burning through the vent as we were coming out for the second half.
“We were told to evacuate the building and the fire brigade turned up.
“There’s a leak in one of the rooms near floodlights and that’s where the burning was coming from.
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Oxford’s stadium was evacuated after a fire broke outCredit: Rex Features
“It’s just another strange scenario that was put in front of us.”
The League One fixture was put back 24 hours from the Saturday to Sunday afternoon because of a frozen pitch.
And in the morning the kick-off was the put back from 3pm to 4pm to allow the pitch to thaw.
Wigan had been leading until the final 20 minutes, Callum Lang opening the scoring, but the home side scored twice late on to secure all three points.
Sam Winnall equalised before Elliott Moore scored the winner with seven minutes to play.
The win leaves the U’s just a point off sixth-placed Sunderland – and with a game in hand – in the final play-off spot.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
