Hoffenheim training ground drone investigated by German police

Published on: 20 December 2018

Hoffenheim's training ground saw some spy games earlier this week.

German police are investigating the use of a drone at Bundesliga club Hoffenheim's training ground ahead of the club's Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Werder Bremen.

Hoffenheim reported on their website that a drone flew over the club's training facilities in the village of Zuzenhausen on Tuesday and that the club had reported the case and alleged drone pilot -- reportedly a Werder Bremen scout -- to the police.

Editors' Picks

    Watch on ESPN networks in the U.S.

    ESPN+ is America's home for a host of professional soccer leagues from around the world, highlighted by Italy's Serie A, Major League Soccer, UEFA Nations League and English FA Cup. | ESPN+ schedule

    Welcome to the 2018 FC 100

    ESPN FC's experts ranked the best men's players and managers in world football. Check out the list.

    Jose Mourinho's Last Stand

    Deliberate isolation. Petty feuds. Constant turmoil. The Manchester United manager wouldn't have it any other way, writes Sam Borden.

    Kylian Mbappe and the curse of the World Cup

    Is there such a thing as peaking too early? Given all that Kylian Mbappe, just 19, has accomplished, we might soon find out.

    - Fantasy: Set lineups, check scores!

On Thursday, Hoffenheim head of media Holger Kliem told ESPN FC that "an unannounced drone flight" took place and added: "Whoever is responsible for it, over a third-party property or training ground, even more so in darkness, [means that] most of all it is a big security concern and exceeds by far the limit of covertly watching behind a fence."

A Mannheim police spokesperson confirmed to ESPN FC they are investigating the case, saying: "We have an unknown suspect and his car. We are trying to identify him."

Once police are able to identify the suspect, they will then determine whether the use of the drone was permitted by the Drohnen-Verordnung, the German drone act which stipulates that, depending on the weight, certain permissions must be obtained by local authorities.

It also prohibits the use of drones weighing more than 0.25 kilograms over a crowd of people or over inhabited areas where it is not allowed to receive "optical, acoustical or radio signals."

If identified, the suspect could be punished for a Bedeutende Ordnungswidrigkeit, a severe regulatory offence, which under the Luftverkehrsgesetz, the Air Traffic Act, could punishable with a fine of up to €50,000.

Hoffenheim suggested that Bremen sent a scout to try and spy on the training session, but coach Julian Nagelsmann said in his postmatch news conference he was more concerned with the safety of his players.

"If it was someone from Werder or a fan, it's prohibited. You must be careful," he said. "If you fly such things over people and there's a technical defect, it might have serious consequences. If it was someone from Werder. It's normal that you scout the opponent. Everyone does it. I don't mind that. There are just safety concerns."

Bremen confirmed they sent a scout to the training session, which took place behind closed doors, but added they did not order the man to use a drone.

Two drones reportedly flying above London's Gatwick Airport on Wednesday led to a shutdown and severe disruptions in air travel across the United Kingdom. German aviation authorities currently do not collect data over the unauthorised use of drones.

Source: espn.co.uk

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more