Germany vs. Netherlands Cancelled After Security Alert at HDI Arena
German police made the decision to cancel the friendly between Germany and the Netherlands at Hannover's HDI Arena shortly before kick-off Tuesday after a suspicious briefcase was discovered inside the stadium.
According to the Associated Press (via the Guardian), one of its reporters and other fans were stopped from entering the stadium two-and-a-half hours before kick-off, with police spokesperson Stephanie Weiss confirming a “suspicious object” had been found (via Fox 59).
Fans were eventually allowed into the HDI Arena, but shortly before kick-off, the stadium was evacuated. UEFA later confirmed the match had been abandoned, per Sky Sports News HQ.
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Tom Steinfort of 9News Australia provided an update from a press conference held shortly afterwards:
"BREAKING: Hanover's chief of police has just confirmed "There was a device intended to be detonated inside the stadium."
— Tom Steinfort (@tomsteinfort) November 17, 2015"
German officials later confirmed no explosives were found inside the arena, per BBC News.
On Monday, the friendly between Belgium and Spain in Brussels was also cancelled, per the Belgian FA (via seFutbol.com).
