Football on hold over runway safety fears

Football matches at the Victoria Stadium will stall when planes take off and land because of too many balls being kicked over the fence and causing very serious safety issues.

A Military of Defence spokesman said that eight balls have landed on the runway since July 2015 and it was agreed, therefore, that football matches would stop during take-off and landing.

“At a meeting last week the Airfield Station Commander, the Director of Civil Aviation and Victoria stadium officials agreed that the ongoing issue of balls landing on the runway was a very serious safety issue,” the spokesman said.

“This is a temporary measure until roof netting can be installed; the Gibraltar Sports and Leisure Authority has agreed to install netting and is currently working on a solution.”

Unconfirmed reports on social media claim that a match was stopped over five times and for around 40 minutes in total at the Victoria Stadium Cepsa training pitch closest to Winston Churchill Avenue.

“We are unable to confirm the exact time matches were stopped for, however, Sunday is the airfield’s busiest day so play would have been restricted in accordance with aircraft movements,” the spokesman said.

“Whilst the MOD regrets any inconvenience to the public, airfield safety remains our paramount consideration.”