Police chase man at GUNPOINT after he climbs up Dortmund stadium roof
Police were forced to intervene after the final whistle on Germany’s 2-0 win against Denmark when a masked man climbed into the rafters at BVB Stadion Dortmund.
Fans were still in the stadium after full-time, when the crowd were split by lines of police seeking to bring the supporter down from the roof beams.
Footage captured by Mail Sport showed the man walking along a beam high above those below in the stands, many of whom were shouting at him to come down.
The man – who had his face covered as he made the climb – walked to the corner of the stadium’s roof as police sought to catch up with him.
The police drew their guns as they chased him down in the rafters, with the man relenting at gunpoint.
He was later handcuffed and unmasked by the police as fans were evacuated from the stadium in the immediate aftermath of the incident.
Police split the crowd in a bid to chase down a supporter who made his way up to the roof at BVB Stadion Dortmund
The masked man walked along the beam just inside the roof after the final whistle on Germany’s tie with Denmark
Reaching the corner, the man then attempted to climb into a different section of the roof
Mail Sport have reached out to the North Rhine-Westphalia Police for further comment.
While the man’s motive is not yet known, the ease with which he was able to make it to the roof of the stadium will no doubt raise security concerns amid the European Championship.
Last week, UEFA issued a statement which said security at host stadiums was set to be tightened up in the wake of a number of pitch invasions which have blighted the tournament – including six during Portugal’s 3-0 rout of Turkey.
German police were already on high alert ahead of the competition’s first match two weeks ago with particular vigilance regarding terrorism, travelling criminals, and violent hooligans.
An article last month in German outlet BILD claimed that a total of 22,000 federal police will be deployed at borders, stadiums, public viewing areas, airports, railway stations and sensitive areas of the critical infrastructure every day.
Police in the rafters called out to the individual after pursuing him with their guns drawn
The man (left) later relented, walking back over to the police after repeat attempts to bring him over to them
The supporter was then unmasked and handcuffed as the stadium was swiftly evacuated
There has also been a ban on police holiday for the duration of the tournament.
Ahead of the incident, the stadium had been filled with jubilant home support celebrating Germany’s quarter-final qualification.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side were forced to wait for their victory after the tie was suspended due to freak weather conditions including thunder and lightning, and escaped a scare at 0-0 after Denmark’s would-be opener was chalked off for offside.
Minutes after VAR cancelled Joachim Andersen’s effort, the player was embroiled in a handball incident at the other end of the pitch, winning Germany a penalty which Kai Havertz put away, before Jamal Musiala doubled the host nation’s lead in the 68th minute.
