A stadium in Hannover, Germany is being evacuated prior to a soccer match between Germany and Netherlands.
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German media are reporting that the Hannover Stadium has been emptied of crowds, and the game cancelled.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was due to attend the fixture, but had not reached the stadium before the evacuation had been announced.
One of two caretaker presidents in charge of the German football federation, Reinhard Rauball, said the German team was about five kilometres away from the stadium when he called and told them to turn around. “Please go in small groups back home, it’s better this way”.
Police forces secure the infield of the HDI-Arena prior the global Friendly match between Germany and Netherlands at HDI Arena on November 17, 2015 in Hanover, Germany.
A section of Hannover’s central train station was closed down after another suspicious object was discovered, according to police.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere was meeting with local counterpart Boris Pistorius late Tuesday when more background details were to be given at a news conference.
The Belgian soccer federation has also called off its game with Spain, due to take place tonight in Brussels.
Suicide bombers sought unsuccessfully to enter the Stade de France and blew themselves up outside.
Fans were told to turn up early with time to pass through extra security checks following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.
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But the players, coaches and national football association made a decision to proceed with the game in a show of unity with the French.
