News

Germany vs Holland Football Match Canceled Due To Terror Attack Alerts

Published

8 years ago

November 18, 2015

Police said they were forced to cancel the match because they had ‘concrete information’ about a bomb threat
Germany were due to take on Holland in an international friendly at the HDI Arena in Hanover tonight
Reports said a North African terror group was planning an attack Hanover with assault rifles and suicide vests
Police had earlier removed a suspicious suitcase from the ground and closed off roads leading into the area
A second suspicious device was also found in a train station close to the stadium, according to local reports
One report claimed an ambulance packed with explosives has been found outside the arena
German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been expected to attend the match with members of her cabinet
Police had earlier sealed off the ground after finding a suitcase before allowing fans to enter.
The German national team was just 5km from the stadium and they were taken to a police station but have now left. The Dutch players were sent home after space on a flight was found.
England scout Alan Cork, who admitted he feared for his life during Friday night’s terrorist attacks in Paris when he attending the Stade de France, was also due to attend tonight’s game
England scout Alan Cork, who admitted he feared for his life during Friday night’s terrorist attacks in Paris when he attending the Stade de France, was also due to attend tonight’s game
German team spokesman on Twitter wrote: ‘We were re-routed on our way to the stadium and are now in a safe area.
‘We cannot say more at this moment.’
At tonight’s press conference German FA official Reiner Rauball was asked by a reporter of the German team were the terror threat’s target.
He said: ‘We’re not sure if they were the main target. We cannot say yet how this will affect the coming matches.’
Mr Pistorius added: ‘We cannot confirm yet that there were explosives in any ambulance.’
Prior to tonight’s fixture Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger withdrew from playing in the friendly following the terror attacks in Paris on Friday night.
Security services told German news agency DPA the threat came from Islamists.
Hanover Police President Volker Kluwe told state broadcaster ARD that authorities had taken seriously indications of a planned attack with explosives, but did not elaborate further.
‘The visitors (spectators), who were already in the stadium at that time, were asked to leave the stadium without panicking,’ police said in a brief statement.
It is believed special police task force and anti-terrorism units were sent to the stadium.
After Friday’s attacks in Paris, security measures in Hanover had been tight.
Sky Sport News Germany reported that there was an immediate threat and the terror warning has been extended to all of Hanover. Speaking at a press conference, the police chief said people in city should go home and avoid large groups.
England scout Alan Cork, who admitted he feared for his life during Friday night’s terrorist attacks in Paris when he attending the Stade de France, was also due to attend tonight’s game.
On Twitter he wrote: ‘Can’t believe this trying to get into stadium, game off as police find bag inside, back to hotel quickly.’
He later wrote: ‘Stadium evacuated, back at hotel now.’