Under attack
Dortmund’s Champions League tie called off after team coach is hit by explosions
The first leg of Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League quarter-final against Monaco was called off last night after the team’s bus was involved in a “targeted” bomb attack that left a player undergoing surgery in hospital.
The vehicle was struck at around 6pm by what German media reported were three explosive devices concealed in a hedge by the side of the road outside Dortmund’s hotel, L’Arrivée, which they had left to travel to play their biggest match of the season.
Spanish defender Marc Bartra was operated on after suffering a broken bone in his right wrist and the bus was also visibly damaged by what the club initially announced was a “bomb” and police said they suspected was “an attack with serious explosives”. The authorities also confirmed a letter was found near the blast site that claimed responsibility for the act but refused to divulge any further details.
The incident sparked fears of an attempted terrorist atrocity against football and rekindled memories of the suicide bomb incident at the Stade de France during the Paris attacks of November 2015.
The match was called off around 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off time, with the fixture rescheduled for 5.45pm today.
Dortmund players spoke of the incident last night, with Lukasz Piszczek telling Poland’s Przeglad Sportowy newspaper: “As we were driving alongside a number of cars, a bomb went off at the side of the road. Bartra has cuts on his arm. He’s in the hospital.”
Goalkeeper Roman Bürki, who was sitting next to Bartra, added: “The bus turned on the main road when there was suddenly a huge bang. The police were quickly on the spot and handled the situation. We were all in shock. After the bang, we ducked and those who could lie on the floor did so. We didn’t know what was going to happen next.”
Dortmund chief executive HansJoachim Watzke said police told him that devices were hidden near the exit of the hotel and detonated as the bus passed. He added: “The team is totally shocked, that’s clear. It’s our task now to digest this somehow because it’s only 24 hours before we have to play. That’s our job.”
The authorities also confirmed they believed the Dortmund team coach was targeted, with police chief Gregor Lange saying, in quotes reported by Bild: “This evening at 19:15 there were three explosions in the surroundings of the BVB [Dortmund] hotel.
“We must start from [the position this was] a targeted attack on BVB’s team. Strong police forces are in operation. We also have explosive-detection dogs in use and decided to search the scene from the air. At the present time it is not clear what the background of the act is.”
The presidents of both Fifa and Uefa, Gianni Infantino and Aleksander Ceferin, also expressed their shock at the incident.
“The thoughts of every one of us at Fifa are with the people of Dortmund, and the fans of both Borussia Dortmund and Monaco following today’s troubling events,” said Infantino. “We are closely monitoring the condition of BVB’s Marc Bartra, and wish him a speedy recovery from his injuries. Fifa condemn the incidents in Dortmund. We are all awaiting further details of the incident.”
Ceferin added: “I was deeply disturbed by the explosions which occurred in Dortmund. The decision taken to postpone the Uefa Champions League match between Borussia Dortmund and AS Monaco was the correct one since we must always prioritise the safety and security of all fans, team officials and players.”
The hotel is on the outskirts of Dortmund, six miles from the stadium. Following the announcement the match had been postponed, Police Dortmund tweeted: “To reassure stadium visitors and relatives: there are currently no indications of a threat to visitors in the stadium.”
Inside the packed ground, supporters of Monaco chanted “Dortmund, Dortmund” in sympathy for the German side. Dortmund residents, meanwhile, took to social media to offer accommodation to stranded Monaco supporters.
Watzke said there was “no alternative” to rescheduling the match for today, as both sides have to play at the weekend and the return leg is scheduled for next week.
Lange confirmed extra security measures had been taken, saying: “We’re prepararing a major police presence and will do everything humanly possible to ensure the match can take place safely.”