Vivian Richards Stadium 'unsafe': report

St Peter's (Antigua), Mar 31 (UNI) Controversies continue to haunt the ongoing cricket World Cup, and the latest on the list is a media report that the east stand of the newly-built Sir Vivian Richards ground here had been closed because it was unsafe.

Stung by the report published in a Barbados newspaper, the local organising committee (LOC) issued a strong statement terming the report as rubbish.

''The stand had been ''temporarily closed'' because of excessive mud and water caused by heavy rain that fell last evening making it slippery.

In a statement, the LOC said: ''On March 27, a significant amount of rain fell and the match was postponed until March 28. The rain affected many areas of operation including the East Stand. Reports were made by the safety stewards of people slipping on the wet stairs.

''A decision was made by both the venue operation centre and ticketing to temporarily close the East Stand, as the excessive mud and water would make it precarious for the fans and staff to use the metal staircase. Ticketing relocated persons and this was a smooth operation, with no complaints. The matter was resolved the same evening by the site manager and his team placing stones in front of the area and the stand was re-opened for the second match on March 28.

''Prior to start of the event, GL Events as well as the other contractors involved in building the Sir Vivian Richards ground issued safety certificates in accordance with ICC CWC 2007 requirements.'' The LOC went on to strongly deny a suggestion that the East Stand was ''unsafe'' and added that at no time had the LOC head, George Goodwin Jr, said so in an interview.

UNI