Photo caption,
In Paris, stadium security has been stepped up ahead of the Champions League quarter-finals
7 hours ago
Security at Champions League football matches in Europe will be strengthened, but the games themselves in Madrid, Paris and London will go on as planned, despite threats from the jihadist group Islamic State (recognized as terrorist and banned in Russia and other countries of the world), UEFA said . French and Spanish authorities also confirmed increased security measures.
On Tuesday, April 9, the Spanish “Real” and the English “Manchester City” play in Madrid, in London the English “Arsenal” hosts the German “Bayern”.
On April 10 in Madrid, the Spanish Atlético will meet at home with the German Borussia, and the French Paris Saint-Germain will play with the Spanish Barcelona in Paris.
Security measures had to be strengthened after several posters appeared in online publications close to the Islamic State calling for attacks on stadiums where matches would be held.
The pro-IS channel called for attacks and published images of the Emirates Stadium in London, the Santiago Bernabeu and Metropolitano stadiums in Madrid, and the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.
Another photo published last week shows the Allianz Arena in Munich, where Bayern will play the second leg against Arsenal next week.
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French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said “significantly enhanced” security measures would be in place for PSG’s match with Barcelona in Paris on Wednesday.
“Let me remind you that just 10 days ago, IS published a photograph of the Munich stadium and stated that it was necessary to act against sports facilities where football matches are held. Although any sport could be a target, Darmanen said. “Given how important the Champions League is for football, we are of course in negotiations with our partners.”
Spanish Sports Minister Pilar Alegría called for calm ahead of the matches in Madrid and said that more than 2 thousand police and Civil Guard officers would be deployed to ensure security.
“UEFA is aware of suspected terrorist threats in relation to this week’s Champions League matches and is in close contact with the authorities at the relevant stadiums,” a Union of European Football Associations spokesman said. “We plan to play all matches as scheduled with appropriate safety measures in place.”
Images of the jihadists, some of them showing masked men with weapons, were published on online media not officially affiliated with the Islamic State itself. However, there are suggestions that this group is behind their publication.
IS leadership recently hinted that its officials have close ties to online supporters.
According to specialists from the BBC Monitoring Service, after the attack on Crocus City Hall near Moscow, channels with long-standing ties to the group began to more often publish materials inciting attacks.
