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German stadium evacuated prior to soccer match

German stadium evacuated prior to soccer match
Posted at 1:24 PM, Nov 17, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-17 16:24:18-05

HANNOVER, Germany (AP) — A stadium in Hannover, Germany is being evacuated prior to a soccer match between Germany and Netherlands.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that reporters and fans were barred from entering the stadium after a suspicious suitcase was found at the stadium.According to a stadium announcement, the match has been canceled.

Though officials denied finding any bombs near the stadium, the Hannover chief of police said the match was canceled due to a "concrete security threat" and that "there were plans for some kind of explosion." 

Many top German officials, including Chancellor Angela Merkel, were scheduled to attend the match.

The threat comes just four days after suicide bombers exploded bombs outside of Stade de France in the Paris terror attacks. The German national team was playing France at the time of those attacks.

A second stadium in Hannover, which was scheduled to host a concert by the band Soehne Mannheims, was also evacuated on Monday.