Video from Germany shared as fire at a stadium during FIFA World Cup

Hyderabad: A video showing a huge cloud of smoke in a stadium is doing the rounds of social media with the claim that a fire broke out at a Qatar stadium during a FIFA World Cup match.

A Facebook user shared the video and wrote, "Terrible fire has broken out in the World Cup stadium. It is increasing and becoming dangerous. Red alert announced in Qatar." (Translated)

Another Facebook user shared the video and made the same claim.

Fact Check

NewsMeter performed a reverse image of the video's keyframe and found several similar images in an article published on 12 May 2018. It said that during a soccer match in Germany, when former European champions Hamburg SV were relegated for the first time since 1963 in the Bundesliga, their fans began throwing flares onto the pitch.

We also found an image with the same visual in an article published by Express on 12 May 2018. It said a chaotic scene unfolded in the stadium after the home team Hamburg was relegated for the first time in 55 years. Angry fans delayed the match by throwing flares onto the pitch, which engulfed the stadium in smoke.

Finally, we also found a longer version of the viral video on YouTube uploaded on 14 May 2015. The video is titled "Hamburg in flames: Fans riot after relegation." The description reads, "After a 55-year stint in the top tier of German football, the Bundesliga's only ever-present club have been relegated. The clock has stopped ticking, and Hamburg fans are devastated. Can HSV rise from the ashes next season?"

It is evident that the incident seen in the viral video happened in Germany in 2018 during a football match. It is not related to the FIFA World Cup currently underway in Qatar. Hence, the claim is misleading.