Concerns raised with FIFA over Scotland fans' safety at Boston Stadium during World Cup games

Concerns have been raised with FIFA over fan safety at Boston Stadium following Scotland’s first World Cup match against Haiti.

The Tartan Army arrived in their droves in Foxborough on Saturday night to watch Scotland play their first World Cup match since 1998.

John McGinn’s first-half goal gave Scotland their first win since 1990 at the tournament over Haiti.

STV News understands the SFA have raised concerns with FIFA through direct channels over fan safety upon entry to the stadium.

It comes after fans in Boston described chaotic scenes getting in and out of the stadium as large crowds gathered for the match.

Stephen Reside, a wheelchair user, told STV News that fans were only able to enter through one gate despite there being multiple entrances.

Stephen Reside, wheelchair user and Scotland fan Supplied

He said: “There was a sea of thousands of people, and all around me there were just bodies.

“It was really intimidating. There was no security manning which gate to go in. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

“They had to move the turnstile to let me through after I was told there was no access gate. But then security told me there was one when I got to the front.”

He added: “You wait 28 years for this moment and then you have to question your safety of whether you’re going to get into the ground or not.

“It speaks to the Tartan Army that everyone kept a level head and managed our way in.”

Others described long waits to get into the stadium, despite arriving many hours before kick-off.

One said: “There was no signage, there were no stewards, there was no one telling you where to go.

“It was just absolute pandemonium.”

Another added: “When we were on the way back from the stadium, we felt sorry for those on the train because it just looked like total chaos.”

It is expected that 20,000 fans were transported to the stadium on 14 commuter rail trains for each of Scotland’s games, with the journey taking around an hour.

Fans were split into several boarding groups, with those on the earliest service arriving at the stadium four hours before kick-off.

The city’s host committee admitted a “small number” of supporters experienced “longer than optimal” wait times getting into the stadium.

It “strongly encourages” fans to allow themselves plenty of time when travelling near the stadium on match days.

A spokesperson for Boston 26 said: “We are pleased that the overwhelming majority of the more than 64,000 fans in attendance on Saturday evening enjoyed a seamless and memorable experience.

“While a small number of supporters experienced wait times that were longer than optimal when entering Boston Stadium for the Scotland v Haiti match, the stadium was at capacity by kick-off, with the vast majority of supporters in their seats for the start of the match.

“As is common at major international sporting events, operational procedures are continually adjusted throughout a tournament to ensure the best possible fan experience for all supporters.

“Following the opening match, and working in close collaboration with the stadium, local authorities, and agency partners, a number of minor adjustments were made to optimise spectator flows around the stadium, taking into account observed crowd movements and supporter arrival patterns in real-time.

“Those measures contributed to a smooth entry operation for the Norway v Iraq match, with supporters arriving steadily throughout the day and entering the stadium well in advance of kick-off.

“All stakeholders were pleased to see the city’s early-arrival messaging reflected in supporter arrival patterns on Tuesday, helping create an efficient arrival experience.

“The same messaging remains in place for Friday’s match, and all supporters are encouraged to arrive at the stadium in plenty of time and enter the venue as early as possible.”

Scotland play at Boston Stadium again on Friday in their second group stage game against Morocco.

FIFA have been contacted for comment.