Europa League semifinals
Attack on ARD radio reporter at West Ham against Eintracht Frankfurt: “We are ok”
The ARD commentators were not particularly welcome at the West Ham vs. Eintracht Frankfurt game at London’s Olympic Stadium.
© Arne Dedert / DPA
ARD radio reporters Tim Brockmeier and Philipp Hofmeister were attacked during the live broadcast of the Europa League game between West Ham United and Eintracht Frankfurt. They were shocked, but they were fine, they wrote on Twitter.
According to their own statements, ARD radio reporters were attacked during Eintracht Frankfurt’s guest appearance at West Ham United. The incident is said to have occurred in the first half of the game on Thursday evening. The Londoners had just scored the 1-1 equalizer in the Europa League semifinals. Reporter Tim Brockmeier’s headphones were apparently torn off during his description. He later wrote on Twitter that he and Philipp Hofmeister had received “several punches in the back of the head, in the neck, in the back”. That’s probably not “the fine English way,” said Brockmeier.
The two journalists are doing well, according to Hofmeister on Twitter. The two commentators addressed the incident directly in their radio report and then had to get in touch with representatives of Eintracht and the host Premier League club, “who really brought us to safety during the break,” as Brockmeier said. Colleague Hofmeister said thank you to the West Ham fans who “love football and respect their opponents”.
ARD commentators had to change places
During the break, the two reporters from Hessischer Rundfunk had to switch places and continue commenting from there. “Mentally it was difficult afterwards,” said Hofmeister. Riots had been audible in the seconds before the attack. “I’ve never experienced anything like that,” said Brockmeier after both had been hit and the headset had been ripped off his head: “We’re shocked.”