Police also urged people via megaphone to return to their homes and avoid moving in large groups near the stadium or other areas such as train stations.
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“Even though the game didn’t happen, you sent a signal”, said Merkel as she thanked civilians and police for their reactions after an exhibition match between German and the Netherlands was called off 90 minutes before kick-off in the city of Hanover.
The incident followed on from Friday’s terror attacks in Paris.
Germany’s friendly against the Netherlands was called off at late notice on Tuesday amid fears it would be targeted by terrorists.
Germany’s intelligence services supremo, Hans-Georg Maassen, confirmed on Wednesday that government officials had solid information hinting at a possible attack, which prompted them to cancel the game.
The French national soccer team did participate in a game on Tuesday, however, losing 2-0 to England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium in London.
German politicians urged the public not to be cowed by the threat of Islamist attacks and said a concrete indication of a security threat had led them to cancel Tuesday’s soccer match between Germany and the Netherlands.
Police chief Volker Kluwe told German public broadcaster NDR that the alleged threat involved the “detonation of explosives in the stadium”.
Referring to another bomb threat about an hour beforehand that turned out to be a false alarm, Kluwe said, “After the first object turned out to be harmless, we got a tip that had to be taken seriously that an attack was being planned”.
Included in Friday night’s targets was an worldwide fixture between France and Germany at Stade de France in northern Paris. Police received a “concrete threat” about a bomb, according to the German DPA.
Attacks in the French capital, claimed by Islamic State jihadists, have so far claimed at least 129 lives.
“I was just as sad as the millions of fans that it had to be cancelled”, Merkel said. He said she returned to Berlin immediately. I can understand these questions, but please understand that I would not like to give an answer.
A Syrian passport found next to a suicide bomber in the Paris terror attacks may have been planted, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said.
He brushed aside media speculation about an ambulance full of explosives.
The German team are still coming to terms with what they experienced last Friday during their global against France.
A concert venue in Germany has been evacuated as police ramp up security amid a terror alert sweeping the country.
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The German football federation (DFB) had considered calling off Tuesday’s match in the days ahead of the game.
