Champions League soccer matches to go ahead despite Islamic State terror threat
France, UK and Spain bolster stadium security in major cities hosting soccer games; threats come weeks after terror group’s deadly attack on a Russian concert hall
France, Spain and Britain will step up security ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals being held in Madrid and in Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, top government officials said, citing threats from the Islamic State terror group.
A media outlet linked to the terror group has issued multiple posts calling for attacks at the stadiums hosting quarterfinal matches in Paris, Madrid and London on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“UEFA is aware of alleged terrorist threats made towards this week’s UEFA Champions League matches and is closely liaising with the authorities at the respective venues,” UEFA said in a statement. “All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
British police said they were aware of reports of such threats and had a robust policing plan in place ahead of Arsenal’s match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night in London.
“Regarding the game that will take place in the Paris region, the head of police has considerably strengthened security,” French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told reporters at a press event on Olympic Games security.
Paris Saint-Germain are due to play Barcelona in Paris on Wednesday night.
“We have seen, among other things, a communication from the Islamic State that particularly targets stadiums. It is not new,” he added.
Islamic State’s alleged threats targeted four venues for this week’s Champions League matches, including the Parc des Princes in Paris and two games in Madrid hosted by Real Madrid on Tuesday and Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, who face Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
London police’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said, “We’re aware of online and media reports in relation to calls to target matches across Europe and here in London.”
“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 alongside the club’s security team to ensure that the match passes peacefully.”
Spanish police forces will deploy more than 2,000 officers to boost security in the capital for the two games there, Spanish government spokesperson Pilar Alegria told reporters on Tuesday.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on the Crocus Hall concert venue outside Moscow on March 22 in which 144 people were killed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin later said that the gunmen who carried out the attack were “radical Islamists,” but repeated his accusation that Ukraine could have played a role despite its strong denials.
