Police and the NRL are reportedly investigating whether or not the crowd at Sunshine Coast Stadium for the
Melbourne Storm’s clash with Newcastle Knights on Sunday breached virus restrictions.
Melbourne officials have requested Sunshine Coast Stadium management review their crowd control after questions were raised over the venue's hill area.
The stadium’s hill sparked concerns over social-distancing during Melbourne’s 26-16 win over Newcastle.
It appeared to be at capacity but five Queensland Health officials and police were in attendance for Sunday’s game and monitored the area.
Under Queensland government rules, venues can be filled to 50 per cent capacity as they ease out of coronavirus restrictions.
The stadium’s crowd of 5437 fell well inside that mark, with the venue able to hold up to 12,500.
It’s claimed that there were 2830 fans on the hill on Sunday - or 43.5 per cent of the 6,500 capacity.
The crowd for Sunday's match was slightly smaller than for the Storm’s opening game there against Gold Coast, which did attract the attention of Queensland Health.
The Storm are due to play again at the ground on Saturday against Canterbury.
“Melbourne Storm have requested Sunshine Coast Stadium review its crowd management practices and capacity before the home game against Canterbury,” the Storm said in a statement.
“The stadium operates under a site specific COVID safe plan approved by Queensland Health and includes having Queensland Police in attendance.”
According to Channel Nine journalist Danny Weidler, the NRL are also investigating.
“NRL are investigating the possible lack of social distancing at the Storm-Knights game in a ‘packed’ crowd,” Weidler tweeted on Sunday.
“They have requested a report from the stadium and the Storm. The images on social media have caught their attention.”
Queensland's rules are lighter than In NSW, where venues are only limited to 25 per cent capacity with patrons on hills still needing to be one in every four square metres.
