The threats of the Islamic State (ISIS) for a terrorist attack on someone or some of the matches of the quarter-final phase of the top Champions League competition in London, Madrid and Paris, where they are being held today Tuesday and tomorrow Wednesday, have caused great concern to UEFA and the European capitals. match.
European football’s governing body UEFA said it was aware of a terrorist threat made in relation to this week’s Champions League quarter-finals, but said the matches would go ahead as normal.
A media outlet linked to the terrorist group has issued multiple social media posts calling for attacks on stadiums hosting Champions League quarter-final matches.
On Tuesday, Arsenal host Bayern Munich at London’s Emirates Stadium and Real Madrid play Manchester City at Madrid’s Bernabéu Stadium, while on Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain face Barcelona at Paris’ Parc des Princes and Atletico Madrid hosts Borussia Dortmund at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid.
France’s interior ministry confirmed there would be an increased police presence in Paris on Wednesday in response to the threat, while Spain’s interior ministry said there would be more than 2,000 extra security personnel, in line with standard operations for a major soccer match.
“UEFA is aware of the alleged terrorist threats made towards this week’s UEFA Champions League matches and is in close contact with the authorities at the respective venues,” the organizing authority said in a statement to ESPN. “All matches are planned to be held as normal with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
London’s Metropolitan Police told ESPN in a statement that the national threat level remains at “significant”, but acknowledged the terrorist threat against Champions League matches.
“We are aware of the internet and media reports of calls to target matches across Europe and here in London,” Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, who oversees policing in London, said on Tuesday.
“However, I want to reassure the public that we have a robust policing plan in place for tonight’s match and we continue to work closely with the club’s security team to ensure the match goes off peacefully.
“As always, we ask the public to remain vigilant and if they see anything that doesn’t look or feel right then report it to the police or security personnel.”
An Arsenal spokesman told ESPN the club is working closely with the Metropolitan Police, adding: “Our planning for tonight’s game is no different and our approach, working with the Police and UEFA, is commensurate with the current level of threat in United Kingdom”.
Spain’s Interior Ministry told ESPN in a statement: “The State Security services have planned an operational deployment involving more than 2,000 National Police and Civil Guard agents, joined by members of the Madrid Municipal Police, to ensure the proper development of the two sporting events taking place today [Τρίτη] and tomorrow [Τετάρτη] in the capital.
“This development is coordinated and has the support provided for in the measures that, throughout the territory of the State, establish the Counter-Terrorism Prevention, Protection and Response Plan for the current level 4 out of 5 counter-terrorism alert, to which have also been added various measures for the prevention of this type of contingencies”.
Meanwhile, French media reported that the country’s Interior Minister Géral Darmanin said he was aware of the threat from Islamic State and had organized increased security measures.
“We saw, among other things, a message from the Islamic State targeting stadiums in particular, which is not new,” Darmanin told reporters on Tuesday. “The chief of police, who I spoke to very early this morning, has greatly increased security resources.”
The return matches in the Champions League are scheduled for next week.
PSG defender Danilo said he and his team-mates “must focus on football”, but coach Luis Enrique said the threat was worrying.
“Who wouldn’t worry about that. Of course we are concerned”, said Luis Enrique. “We hope it’s just a threat and nothing happens.”
The schedule of the first quarter-final matches:
Tuesday 9/4
22:00 Arsenal-Bayern Munich
22:00 Real Madrid-Manchester City
Wednesday 10/4
22:00 Atletico Madrid-Dortmund
22:00 Paris Saint-Germain-Barcelona
The repeaters:
Tuesday 16/4
22:00 Dortmund-Atletico Madrid
22:00 Barcelona-Paris Saint-Germain
Wednesday 17/4
22:00 Bayern Munich-Arsenal
22:00 Manchester City-Real Madrid
Semi-finals (30 April/1 May and 7/8 May)
Atletico Madrid/Dortmund-Paris Saint-Germain/Barcelona
Arsenal/Bayern Munich-Real Madrid/Manchester City
Final 1/6
London-Wembley
Source: ertnews
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