London (AP) – The two ARD radio reporters are doing well after the physical attacks on them in the 2-1 Frankfurter Eintracht in London against West Ham United.
According to their descriptions, they received “several punches in the back of the head, in the neck, in the back” in the semi-final first leg of the Europa League. That’s probably not “the fine English way,” wrote Tim Brockmeier on Twitter.
He thanked the media staff of the Hessian Bundesliga club, but also the host Premier League club, “who really had to bring us to safety during the break”. His colleague Philipp Hofmeister also thanked all West Ham fans who “love football and respect their opponents” and also wrote on Twitter: “We’re fine.”
According to a report by ARD, the attacks came shortly after West Ham equalized in the 21st minute. “We’re being attacked here,” Hofmeister said during the live broadcast. In the seconds prior, tumult had been audible. “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.”
During the break, the two reporters from Hessischer Rundfunk changed places and continued to comment from there. “Mentally it was difficult afterwards,” said Hofmeister.