A Bundesliga club has admitted to flying a drone over their rival club’s training ground before their league meeting – after the incident was reported to authorities over safety concerns for the players and staff.
Earlier this week, it was reported in German media that Hoffenheim contacted police over an “unannounced drone flight” and according to ESPN FC they had done so because of “security concerns.”
However, it has since been revealed that it was Werder Bremen attempting to have a sneak preview of their domestic rivals tactical plan before they played out to a 1-1 draw.
“Werder Bremen this past Tuesday briefly used a drone,” a statement on Bremen’s website said.
“This is a result of talks between Bremen executive Frank Baumann, head coach Florian Kohfeldt and the employees of the analysis department.”
Speaking at his postmatch news conference following the draw, Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann said he did not mind Bremen spying on training but had been concerned about the safety of his players.
“If you fly such a thing over people and there’s a technical defect, it might have serious consequences,” Nagelsmann said, as per ESPN.