This week's UEFA Champions League quarter-finals will go ahead as scheduled despite social media terror threats allegedly from Islamic State.
“UEFA is aware of the alleged terrorist threats made against this week's UEFA Champions League matches and is working closely with the authorities at each venue,” the governing body said in a statement. “All matches will be held as scheduled, with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
This week's games include Bayern Munich visiting Arsenal in London on Tuesday, Real Madrid hosting Manchester City on Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain hosting Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund hosting Atlético on Wednesday.・Visit Madrid.
The threat, posted through IS-linked media Al-Azaim Foundation, targets London's Emirates Stadium, which will host matches this week, Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu and Wanda Metropolitano stadiums, and Paris' Parc des Parcs. The four stadiums of Prince are shown. The words “Kill them all” and an image of a man with a gun.
In a statement, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Ade Adelekan, said a “robust policing plan” was in place ahead of Tuesday's game against Arsenal. The club said it was “working closely” with London police to ensure everyone's safety.
In a statement, the club said: “The plans for tonight's match are no exception and our approach, in collaboration with the police and UEFA, is proportionate to the current threat level in the UK.”
French Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin said security had been “significantly strengthened” in Paris with an increased police presence.
Spain's Interior Ministry issued a statement saying more than 2,000 security personnel would be deployed in and around the city for the matches on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
“This deployment is coordinated and supported by measures to establish counter-terrorism prevention, protection and response plans that correspond to four out of five current counter-terrorism alert levels across the state. Various measures have also been added to prevent unexpected situations.
The threat and added security measures did not go unnoticed by the teams competing in this week's Champions League quarter-finals.
PSG coach Luis Enrique said: “Who isn't worried about the threat of terrorism? We hope it's something we can control, but it's just a threat and nothing more.” Told.
“Security is always important, not only for us as players, but also for everyone who loves the sport and the game,” said PSG's Danilo Pereira. “I think it's important for sure, but we have to focus on what we need to do, which is play football. There are other people who need to focus on everyone's safety and security.”
IS recently claimed responsibility for an attack on a concert hall in Moscow that killed 133 people.
