NORWAY’S women’s team have expressed sympathy for families of individuals directly affected by a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand.
Two people and a gunman are dead after the incident that occurred two miles away from Eden Park, hours before New Zealand play Norway there in the World Cup.
AFPPolice cordoned off an area near the location of a deadly shooting in Auckland just miles away from the venue of a Women’s World Cup opening game[/caption]
EPAThe incident occurred in Auckland’s central business district two miles away from Eden Park where New Zealand will play Norway in the contest’s opener[/caption]
AFPEden Park stadium has a 50,000-capacity and is one of 10 venues for this year’s Women’s World Cup[/caption]
At around 07:22 local time police responded to reports of a man using a firearm at a building site in Auckland’s central business district.
The area was cordoned off and a helicopter deployed during the incident.
The Women’s World Cup match between Norway and contest co-hosts New Zealand is set to go ahead at Eden Park.
The game at the 50,000-seater stadium, which kicks off at 5:00 pm local time today is one of the tournament’s two opening fixtures.
Hours after the shooting incident Norway’s team shared their reaction via their official Twitter account.
Their tweet read: “After the sad incident this morning the whole Norwegian team wants to express our deepest sympathies with those affected, their families and the people of Auckland.”
Norway’s national team say their thoughts are with the families and individuals affected by the shooting incident in Auckland
Norway skipper Maren Mjelde said the sound of helicopters could be heard outside the hotel her national side are staying in around the time of the incident.
Mjelde said: “We felt safe the whole time. Fifa has a good security system at the hotel, and we have our own security officer in the squad.
“Everyone seems calm and we are preparing as normal for the game.”
New Zealand football stated they were shocked by the incident and that the Football Ferns’ preparations for the match will go ahead as scheduled
They said: “We can confirm that all of the Football Ferns team and staff are safe but we will not be able to comment further while details are still emerging.”
USA Soccer extended its “deepest condolences to the families of victims” of the shooting.
Their women’s national team will begin their quest to win a third consecutive World Cup when they play Group minnows Vietnam in Auckland on Saturday.
AlamyNew Zealand will play Norway, the Philippines and Switzerland in Group A in the Women’s World Cup[/caption]
Via a tweet the US football federation said it was “saddened by the inexcusable loss of life to gun violence”.
The game between Football Ferns and their Norwegian opponents is the first match of this year’s Women’s World Cup.
The contest’s other opener sees tournament co-hosts Australia go up against the Republic of Ireland.