Hannover youth-team trio suspended

Bundesliga club Hannover has suspended three youth team players who police say were intending to rob a gambling hall in the north German city.

"We condemn this as a club, it has nothing to do with the moral principles of [Hannover] 96," club spokesman Christian Boenig told SID, an AFP subsidiary.

The trio, two 18-year-olds and a 19-year-old, were on route to rob a gambling establishment with fake car number plates, balaclavas and air pistols, according to reports. However the teenagers returned home without completing the plan.

The police's attention was drawn to the group when the trio left their vehicle in a no-park area and forgot to unscrew the two different stolen car registration plates.

They then confessed their plan after being questioned separately by police.

"In addition to possible attempted robbery, the trio have to answer for forging documents and vehicle registration plate theft, as the vehicle they used had stolen plates," police spokesman Gabriela Mielke told German daily publication "Bild".

"The assumption that the car was stolen was not confirmed by the owner, as the Audi had been used by their 18-year-old son," Mielke stated.

The trio have expressed their remorse in conversations with the football club's management.