Hooded man under the stadium roof: what we know and what we don't know

Crime - Hooded man under the stadium roof: what we know and what we don't know

During the German EM-Quarterfinal against Denmark, a man climbs under the Dortmund stadium roof - and is only taken away by the police after the final whistle. The scenes on Saturday evening caused great international attention, once again raising questions about the security concept at the European Football Championship.

What we know

The Dortmund police issued three statements in the night to Sunday. The man is reportedly a 21-year-old from Osnabrück. He allegedly reached the roof at 10:27 pm, at the beginning of the second half. The police stated several times that there was no danger for the spectators. Law enforcement officers approached the man after the final whistle and a helicopter also illuminated the stadium roof.

A video published by the English newspaper "Daily Mail" shows that the man was initially disguised and carried a larger backpack. He climbed from the walkways under the stadium roof to the beams of the roof construction. The moment he is taken away is also documented.

The German and Danish players were informed about the incident. However, the events had no concrete effects on the course of the game or the departure after the match. As the German Football Association confirmed on Sunday, referee Michael Oliver informed the captains of both teams, Ilkay Gündogan and Kasper Schmeichel, of the incident before the second half began. Pictures show all three looking up towards the stadium roof. The game continued without interruption. The referee was also in contact with a delegate of the European Football Union UEFA on the sidelines.

What we don't know

The motivation of the man could not be determined by the police initially. "Currently, there are no findings that the man wanted to endanger the stadium visitors with his behavior," the police stated. The contents of the backpack were also initially undisclosed. The "Bild" newspaper reported on Sunday afternoon that the backpack contained photo equipment, the man was a so-called "roofer" who climbs on high buildings and takes photos or films himself. The reasons for the decision to whistle during the second half are unclear.

It is also unclear how the man managed to get into the area under the roof in the first place. Access is usually restricted. The walkways under the roof serve approximately for the maintenance of the stadium technology.

It is also unclear how the man managed to get into the interior with a large backpack, as entry with such a thing is not allowed.

The incident raises questions about the security concept of the EM. There were frequent incidents during the group stage where spectators got onto the pitch to take photos with the players. In the opening match, a web video producer had managed to gain access to the interior of the Munich stadium in a "Albär" costume and with a fake accreditation.

The UEFA referred to the police statement on Sunday morning. "We have no further comment," the governing body said in response to an inquiry from the German Press Agency.

Report "Daily Mail" Third police statement First police statement Second police statement

1. On Sunday, the Dortmund police revealed that the man who climbed the stadium roof during the German EM-Quarterfinal against Denmark was a 21-year-old from Osnabrück.
2. The incident on Saturday evening, as captured by the English newspaper "Daily Mail," showed the man initially disguised and carrying a larger backpack.
3. The German Football Association confirmed that referee Michael Oliver informed the captains of both teams about the man on the stadium roof before the second half began.
4. The man was only apprehended by the police after the final whistle, with a helicopter also assisting in illuminating the stadium roof.
5. The incident occurred in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, during the European Football Championship Quarterfinal match between Germany and Denmark.
6. The "roofer" who climbed the stadium roof was reportedly carrying photo equipment, according to the "Bild" newspaper, raising questions about stadium security.
7. The police stated that there was no immediate danger for the spectators, but the incident has brought ongoing security concerns at the European Football Championship into focus.
8. The motivations behind the man's actions and the contents of his backpack remain unknown, with the UEFA providing no further comment on the incident.

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