Germany v Netherlands friendly called off after bomb threat

Germany's friendly with the Netherlands on Tuesday was called off because of an "intention to ignite explosives" at the Hannover stadium.

Evacuation began less than two hours before kick-off after a "concrete security threat", said the city's president of police Volker Kluwe. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was set to attend the match at the 49,000-capacity HDI Arena. 

The German national team's players were put under police protection. Following the bomb threat, fans were told to return home "quickly, but without panic". Germany's Minister of the Interior Thomas de Maiziere told a news conference: "The match was called off on my recommendation. "There is a high level of threat for Germany and Europe."

Belgium's friendly with Spain in Brussels, also scheduled to be played on Tuesday, was called off on Monday because of security fears in the wake of last week's attacks in Paris.

However, the friendly match between England and France at Wembley on Tuesday night went ahead, with tributes paid to the 129 people killed in Paris on Friday.