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.

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

Guidance on the Boston Stadium website reads: “Everyone who seeks admission into Gillette Stadium, including infants and small children, must have a ticket and must consent to a search of their person and anything they are carrying.

“Failure to consent to such search will result in denial of entry into the stadium.

“We ask that you cooperate fully with staff and arrive at the entrances with adequate time for entry.”

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

Boston Stadium and FIFA have been contacted for comment.