Borussia Dortmund's Champions League tie at home to Monaco was postponed last night after a blast hit their team bus while the squad made their way to the Westfalanstadion.
The incident occurred around six miles from the stadium, with early reports suggesting that defender Marc Bartra was the only player to be hurt in the blast.
It was later confirmed that Bartra has suffered a fractured wrist and would undergo surgery for the injury.
Details of the incident were relayed to those in the stadium via a message on the big screen in the Westfalanstadion, reading that there had been an incident involving the team bus, that the players were safe and that those within the ground should not panic.
The game was ultimately postponed as a result of the incident and has been refixed for 5.45pm (Irish time) on Wednesday.
Official details of the incident emerged hours later.
Police confirmed that three explosive devices were found to have targeted the Dortmund team bus, with a fourth, undetonated device later found on the scene. German newspaper Bild reported that they were placed at a corner on the road leading to the stadium, where the bus would have been slowing down.
Photos of the damaged team bus emerged after the incident:
Der BVB-Mannschaftsbus steht noch auf der Straße. Scheiben hinten kaputt #BVBASM pic.twitter.com/p7DPJoyU4K
— Sebastian Kolsberger (@SKolsberger) April 11, 2017
At a press conference, police confirmed that the Dortmund team bus was the intended target of an attack.
Police found a letter close to the scene claiming responsibility for the attack close to the scene, and while they confirmed its existence at the press conference, they had yet to authenticate it at that stage, so did not divulge any further details.
Goalkeeper Roman Burki gave a first-hand account of the blasts to Swiss outlet Blick:
The bus turned to the main road when there was a huge boom - a proper explosion. I sat in the back row next to Marc Bartra, who was hit by shards of the broken back window.
After the bang, we all ducked in the bus and anybody who could, got on the ground. We did not know if more happened. The police were quick on the spot, it was diffused. We are all shocked, no one thought at a football match in the minutes after.
When asked if this was a terrorist attack, police stressed that, until further details are known, they are keeping an open mind about the attack.
With the game rescheduled, Dortmund fans are offering to house stranded Monaco fans by reaching out to them using the #BedForAwayFans.
See Also: Class Touch From Monaco Fans As They Pay Tribute To Dortmund After Bus Explosion
