Eintracht Frankfurt stadium evacuated after win due to false alarm

A technical fault triggered a fire alarm on Friday evening, leading to the evacuation of the Eintracht Frankfurt stadium immediately after their home win over 1. FC Köln. Manager Adi Hütter's post-match press conference was cut short after just a few questions, while many spectators were still leaving the arena. The victory over Köln was the third win in their last five matches, alongside one draw and one defeat, and moved the team to 8th in the Bundesliga with 8 points from 6 games.

The announcement over the loudspeakers asked guests to leave the building for their safety. It was repeated in German and English. Fans gathered outside the main entrance as fire engines arrived. A rumour about a collapsed elevator was confirmed to be false. The fire department checked the situation and withdrew. A suspected cause was a defect in the sauna of the Eintracht dressing room, though this was not officially confirmed.

Hütter reacted with laughter

Adi Hütter had just answered a question about a young player when the alarm sounded. The manager initially looked surprised, then smiled. He said it was not easy after a game like that and praised the team for the win before the conference was ended. In the background, a board spokesman appeared helpless. Journalists were sent home, and VIP guests were allowed back into the business areas later.

The winning goal was scored in the second half by Younes Ebnoutalib, who is currently Eintracht's top scorer this season with 4 goals in 5 appearances. The assist came from Noel Aseko. Captain Robin Koch, who had been criticised after a heavy defeat, received special praise from Hütter for his performance. The 6-0 loss to Leipzig on 10 October was the only defeat in their recent run of form. The win consolidated a mid-table position. The team has scored 10 goals this season but conceded 16, resulting in a negative goal difference of minus six.

The next task is a tough away fixture at Borussia Dortmund on Saturday 24 October. Dortmund currently sit 2nd in the table. Eintracht Frankfurt are 5 points behind the league leaders in the title race. The Cologne team bus left the stadium garage shortly after the fire department departed. A Köln player commented on the missed opportunity, saying it just hurt unbelievably that they couldn't take the three points home. After a while, the alarm signal stopped, and fans were able to resume celebrating the deserved home win.

This story first appeared at Bild