Dutch FA respond to security alert

Police survey the entrance of the stadium as supporters leave the HDI Arena after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hannover on November 17, 2015
© Getty Images
The Dutch Football Association admits that players and officials were "alarmed" by the security alert which led to the game against Germany being cancelled.

The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has revealed in a statement that players and officials were "alarmed" by the security alert which forced their game against Germany to be cancelled.

An evacuation of the HDI Arena in Hannover took place close to 90 minutes before the scheduled kickoff, with local police later confirming that there had been a plan to bring explosives into the stadium.

Trains in the surrounding area were also cancelled as both sets of players were taken to a safe location by police.

"The KNVB is alarmed by the situation in Hannover and regrets that a good game could not take place," read a statement on the association's official website.

"We wanted to play this match, because the situation at the beginning of the evening was safe.

"The KNVB thanks the German and Dutch authorities for their prompt assistance in Hannover. The management is in consultation with the authorities and the DFB."

Security fears in the aftermath of the Paris attacks also forced officials to cancel Tuesday's game between Belgium and Spain.

Police survey the entrance of the stadium as supporters leave the HDI Arena after the friendly football match Germany vs the Netherlands was called off for 'security reasons' in Hannover on November 17, 2015
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