'Too realistic' riot exercise called off

GRONINGEN, Netherlands, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Police in the Netherlands said a soccer riot exercise was called off when the extras playing hooligans became "too realistic."

A representative from Groningen emergency services said the exercise at Euroborg stadium, home of the FC Groningen soccer club, was called off by officials Tuesday when the extras hired to act as hooligans began throwing rocks at police instead of the planned tennis balls, Radio Netherlands reported Wednesday.

"The exercise got a bit too realistic," the representative said.

The exercise was inspired by an April 2008 incident involving a riot that led to a series of small fires at the stadium, police officials said.