Stuttgart - Eighteen World War II bombs have been found under the pitch during a stadium makeover at VfB Stuttgart, the German football Bundesliga club said Saturday.

Most of the bombs were harmless and there was never a danger to players or fans, a Stuttgart spokesman said.

Munitions experts removed the bombs, but there was a possibility that more might be discovered as work continued, the spokesman added.

The club's Mercedes-Benz Arena is being transformed from a general purpose stadium to football ground, which requires lowering the pitch and tearing up the athletics track alongside it. (dpa)