Terror threat in Germany: Football match against Holland is cancelled after tip-off from French police that jihadists were going to launch Paris-style gun and bomb attack on stadium 

• Police said they were forced to cancel the match because they had 'concrete information' about a bomb threat
• Germany were due to take on Holland in an international friendly at the HDI Arena in Hanover tonight
• Reports said a North African terror group was planning an attack Hanover with assault rifles and suicide vests
• Police had earlier removed a suspicious suitcase from the ground and closed off roads leading into the area
• A second suspicious device was also found in a train station close to the stadium, according to local reports 
• One report claimed an ambulance packed with explosives has been found outside the stadium 
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been expected to attend the match with members of her cabinet

By Katie Louise Davies For Mailonline

Published: 14:22 EST, 17 November 2015 | Updated: 18:47 EST, 17 November 2015

Germany cancelled a football match against Holland in Hanover just 90 minutes before kick-off after receiving 'concrete information' about a terror threat.

A concert venue in the city was also evacuated amid heightened security concerns in the wake of last week's atrocities in Paris.

One report on a local newspaper website claimed an ambulance packed with explosives was found outside the HDI Arena. 

There were also reports of a known trouble-maker, who was held at gunpoint by police outside the ground. 

According to an NTV reporter on CNN, a second suspicious device was found in a train station close to the stadium. 

Announcements at the 45,000-capacity stadium in northern Germany advised fans to leave calmly and that there was no danger. Most fans were still waiting outside when the order to evacuate came.

Germany cancelled a football match against Holland in Hanover just 90 minutes before kick-off. There were reports of a known trouble-maker, who was held at gunpoint by police outside the ground

Special police forces cordoned off the HDI Arena in Germany as announcements at the 45,000-capacity stadium were advised fans to leave calmly

Police said they were forced to cancel Germany's friendly game against Holland because they had 'concrete information' about a bomb threat

A police officer carries various weapons, ammunition and other devices as fans attending the fixture between Germany and Holland were evacuated 

Officers were pictured inspecting an item outside the stadium where the match was due to take place

German newspaper Bild reported that French intelligence officials warned their German counterparts about a potential attack before the match.

According to the paper, a North African terror cell was planning to attack Hanover with assault rifles and suicide vests - chillingly similar to the methods used in Paris on Friday.

They also reported an Iraqi ‘sleeper agent’ may have planned the attack.

Top government officials including Chancellor Angela Merkel had been scheduled to attend the match to send a signal that Germany wouldn't bow to terrorism in the wake of the Paris attacks.

According to local reports, German police detonated the suspicious package at Hanover train station and the station was later reopened. 

It was also suggested that the object - believed to be a suitcase found on a train - contained no explosives. 

A German security official has denied reports that explosives were found outside the stadium and no arrests have been made. 

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said the friendly match in the northern city was canceled after German authorities received information about a possible planned attack on the stadium.

He said: 'There is a general threat. Regularly we receive information about threats against Germany, especially after an attack like in Paris.

'We have to analyse them, and need to judge them properly and fast.

'Ahead of this match we got more information that made us make the decision to cancel the game.

'The information came late, we couldn’t do it earlier. I cannot give any comment on the source - that would make our work harder in future.'

Boris Pistorius, the local interior minister, said: 'This was a bitter decision, especially for me as Minister of Interior and Sports, but we made it for the security of the people.

'It would have been irresponsible, we had no doubt.

'We will have a greater police presence in Hanover all night.'

German newspaper Kreiszeitung first reported that there were fears of an ambulance packed with explosives. 

Mr Pistorius said: 'It can not yet be confirmed that there was an ambulance or another vehicle with explosives inside.'

However, the newspaper said the authorities did not wish to comment as they wanted to avoid panic.  

German Minister of Interior Mr Meizere refused to answer questions about the terror attack.

He said: 'Some of these answers would unsettle the population.'

The announcement to cancel the game came as spectators in the 14,000-capacity TUI-Arena, which is located close-by, were evacuated. A band, The Söhne Mannheims, were meant to be playing there tonight. The gig is expected to go ahead as planned.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere (centre), pictured with Lower Saxony Interior minister Boris Pistorius (left) and German national football team's representative Reinhard Rauball (right) at a press conference said there was a general threat 

Two German football fans are pictured checking departure boards in an underground station in Hanover 

Dutch fans head to the main train station following the announcement around 90 minutes before kick-off

Police had earlier sealed off the ground after finding a suitcase before allowing fans to enter. 

The German national team was just 5km from the stadium and they were taken to a police station but have now left. The Dutch players were sent home after space on a flight was found. 

England scout Alan Cork, who admitted he feared for his life during Friday night's terrorist attacks in Paris when he attending the Stade de France, was also due to attend tonight's game

German team spokesman Jens Grittner on Twitter wrote: 'We were re-routed on our way to the stadium and are now in a safe area. 

'We cannot say more at this moment.'

At tonight's press conference German FA official Reiner Rauball was asked by a reporter if the German team were the terror threat’s target.

He said: 'We’re not sure if they were the main target. We cannot say yet how this will affect the coming matches.'

Prior to tonight's fixture ​Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger withdrew from playing in the friendly following the terror attacks in Paris on Friday night.

Security services told German news agency DPA the threat came from Islamists.

Hanover police president Volker Kluwe said: 'There were serious plans for an explosion, a specific risk situation for all of Hanover. We feared a bomb attack at the stadium tonight.'

It is believed special police task force and anti-terrorism units were sent to the stadium.

After Friday's attacks in Paris, security measures in Hanover had been tight. 

Sky Sport News Germany reported that there was an immediate threat and the terror warning has been extended to all of Hanover. Speaking at a press conference, the police chief said people in city should go home and avoid large groups.

England scout Alan Cork, who admitted he feared for his life during Friday night's terrorist attacks in Paris when he attending the Stade de France, was also due to attend tonight's game. 

On Twitter he wrote: 'Can't believe this trying to get into stadium, game off as police find bag inside, back to hotel quickly.' 

He later wrote: 'Stadium evacuated, back at hotel now.'  

Fans lights candles in remembrance of the 129 killed in the Paris terrorism attacks on Friday prior to tonight's game 

A supporter holds a French flag outside the HDI-Arena stadium shortly before it was announced the game was called off 

The flags of Germany, France and Holland are unfurled on the pitch during the rehearsal before the match

Police forces secure the infield of the HDI Arena after a suspicious package was found inside the ground

Police gather outside the stadium after the match was cancelled, and told fans to move away from the ground

Police set up a road block outside the stadium while trains coming into Hanover were stopped after the threat

Special forces drive inside the HDI Arena after a bomb alert prior to the match which was eventually cancelled 90 minutes before kick-off

Two police officers in the stands before the match was called off and fans told to leave the ground

Police forces secure an entrance of the the HDI Arena prior the international friendly match between Germany and Holland

Security in the area had been very tight, with police armed with machine guns and maintaining a very obvious presence in the city. Reporters arriving for the game were searched, while a sniffer dog was deployed to check their bags.

Trains travelling away from the area were later stopped. 

Police with megaphones were in front of the stadium shouting: 'Ladies and gentlemen, dear football friends. I'm sorry, but the game has been cancelled at short notice. Please stay calm,there is no danger on the way back. Just go home.'

Former Holland international Ruud Gullit tweeted: 'I am now on the stadium of #hannover for the game #germany-#holland. They just suspended the game and are going to inform us why.'

The postponement comes just four days after Germany's match against France in Paris was targeted by terrorists as part of a coordinated attack on the capital.

Although a man wearing a suicide belt was prevented from entering the Stade de France last Friday, three explosions later took place outside the ground.

Two of the explosions were heard during the friendly which was played to a conclusion with France winning 2-0 thanks to goals from Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac.

The German squad spent the night in the ground before returning home on Saturday. 

The match was called off at short notice due to security concerns and the stadium was evacuated

Members of the media are searched at an entrance of the HDI Arena prior to the cancelled friendly

Germany's friendly against Holland was cancelled over security threats at the stadium

Police evacuate the HDI Arena after finding a second suspicious package in a matter of hours

Police had earlier removed a suspicious suitcase from outside the ground but fans were then let in 

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