Police arrest man for climbing onto roof of Dortmund’s stadium during Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark at Euro 2024… after chasing and holding him down at gunpoint
German police have arrested a man for climbing onto the roof of Borussia Dortmund’s stadium during Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the last 16 matches of Euro 2024.
A masked man was seen walking onto the roof after play was suspended in the first half due to a thunderstorm in the Dortmund area.
He was chased by police and held at gunpoint. Authorities have now confirmed that he has been arrested.
‘The police have now been able to arrest the man. At no time was there any danger to other people,” the statement said.
‘The police are still unable to provide any information about the man’s identity or his motive.’
Police separated the crowd in an attempt to chase a supporter who climbed to the roof of the BVB Stadion Dortmund
The masked man walked over the beam just inside the roof after the final whistle of the match between Germany and Denmark
When he reached the corner, the man then tried to climb into another part of the roof. He has now been arrested
Police spokesman Peter Bandermann responded to the incident on Saturday night, saying: “A person climbed onto the roof of the stadium at 10:27 p.m. during the match. Police officers approached the person to talk to him and ensure he could get off the roof safely.
‘A police helicopter illuminated the roof of the stadium for this purpose. No information can be given about the man’s motive and identity at this time.’
The police had to intervene after the final whistle on Saturday. Fans were still in the stadium after full-time when the crowd was divided by lines of police trying to remove the supporter from the roof beams.
Footage captured by Mail Sport showed the man walking along a beam high above the people in the stands below, many of whom were shouting at him to get down.
The man walked to the corner of the stadium roof as police tried to catch him.
Police drew their weapons as they chased him into the rafters, with the man confessing at gunpoint.
He was later handcuffed and unmasked by police, while fans were evacuated from the stadium immediately after the incident.
The man’s motive is not yet known, but the ease with which he was able to reach the stadium roof will undoubtedly raise security concerns during the European Championships.
Police in the rafters shouted at the person after chasing him with their guns drawn
The man (left) later admitted and walked back to police after repeated attempts to bring him to them.
The supporter was then unmasked and handcuffed as the stadium was quickly evacuated
Last week, UEFA released a statement saying security at host stadiums would be tightened in the wake of a number of pitch invasions that have blighted the tournament – including six during Portugal’s 3-0 defeat to Turkey.
The German police were already on high alert two weeks ago in the run-up to the first match of the competition, with particular vigilance against terrorism, travelling criminals and violent hooligans.
An article last month in Germany’s BILD reported that a total of 22,000 federal police officers will be deployed daily at borders, stadiums, public viewing points, airports, train stations and sensitive parts of critical infrastructure.
There is also a ban on police holidays during the tournament.
Before the incident, the stadium was filled with cheering home support in celebration of Germany’s quarter-final qualification.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side were forced to wait for victory after the draw was suspended due to bizarre weather conditions including thunder and lightning, and escaped a scare at 0-0 after Denmark’s potential opener was ruled out for offside.
Minutes after VAR canceled Joachim Andersen’s effort, the player was involved in a handball incident at the other end of the pitch, leading Germany to win a penalty that Kai Havertz put away, before Jamal Musiala doubled the hosts’ lead in the 68th minute .