Man City targeted by gang using ‘industrial strength’ fireworks outside their team hotel at 2.45am, 4.30am and AGAIN at 5.30am in a bid to disrupt them before facing Borussia Dortmund, with players repeatedly woken overnight by ‘incredible bangs’
- Manchester City players have had their preparations hampered in Germany
- Borussia Dortmund supporters let off a series of fireworks outside City’s hotel
- A gang of 17 fans exploded the first batch of explosives at 2.45am on Wednesday
- City’s security staff foiled a third attempt in the early hours of the morning
Manchester City’s preparations for tonight’s Champions League quarter-final with Borussia Dortmund in Germany have been hit after fans exploded fireworks outside their hotel in a series of early-hours incidents.
Witnesses have spoken of ‘incredible bangs’ which awoke residents – including members of Pep Guardiola’s travelling party – at the Radisson Blu in Dortmund.
Sportsmail understands that a gang of 17 set off the first batch of what have been described as ‘industrial strength’ fireworks at 2.45am. City’s security staff immediately scrambled to the scene and patrolled the area.
Borussia Dortmund fans have let off fireworks outside the Manchester City hotel in Germany – this picture shows the aftermath of the two boxes which contained multiple fireworks
Members of Pep Guardiola’s travelling team were awoken by the explosives at 2.45am
However, at 4.30am around seven members of the group returned to set off a second explosion in a separate area close to the hotel, which again awoke those inside.
Police were called and inspected the area, but it was City’s own security who then foiled a THIRD attempt at 5.30am. The club’s travelling staff spotted members of the gang returning and managed to chase them away from the area.
‘These were not just bangers,’ one source said. ‘We are talking industrial strength fireworks. The bangs were incredible. It felt as if the hotel shook.’
CCTV footage has been examined but further police action is thought to be unlikely.
City staff and players travelled from their training base in Manchester to Germany on Tuesday
England stars Raheem Sterling (left) and Phil Foden were among the travelling party
A picture obtained by this newspaper shows the aftermath of the two boxes which contained multiple fireworks.
Hotel staff are said to have been outraged by the incident and have been praised for their help.
The tie is delicately balanced, with City leading 2-1 from the first leg in Manchester.
City hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie