Bundesliga ponders security after Hannover attack threat

Two police officers stand in the stadium in Hannover, Germany, early Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, after friendly soccer game between Germany and the Netherlands was canceled 90 minutes before kickoff on Tuesday due to the suspected threat of a bomb at the stadium. AP

FRANKFURT, Germany—Security at Bundesliga matches is under debate in the aftermath of a threat that led government officials to call off a friendly between Germany and the Netherlands.

Tuesday’s match was called off at short notice as police ordered the evacuation of the Hannover stadium. No explosives were found at the stadium and no arrests were made, but government officials said there was a specific threat that left them no choice but to cancel the game.

Top officials of the football federation say this weekend’s Bundesliga matches will take place as scheduled.

But they also acknowledge that the Hannover threat, which came only four days after the wave of attacks in Paris, could affect the league.

Hannover club president Martin Kind says the incident “will change football and presents us with new challenges.”