Terrorism is a global concern today. ISIS issued a threat on Monday against the four stadiums hosting the Champions League’s quarter-final games. They include Santiago Bernabeu and Emirates Stadium. Arsenal hosted Bayern Munich while Real Madrid welcomed Manchester City on Tuesday in their 1st Leg games.
Borussia Dortmund will visit Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night and PSG will host Barcelona. The Al Azaim Foundation published “Kill Them All” alongside the four stadiums’ names in a frightening poster. UEFA released a statement saying, “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. All matches will go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
Metropolitan Police Respond to ISIS Threats
Ade Adelekan, the Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner stated, “The UK terrorism threat level remains at ‘substantial’ meaning an attack is likely, and we work closely with colleagues from across Counter Terrorism Policing in planning for events here in London, to take into account any relevant information that could help us to keep those attending safe.
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. As ever, we ask the public to remain vigilant, and if they see any that doesn’t look or feel right, then report it to police or security staff.”
Adelekan added that ISIS sent the threat less than a month after the Islamic State’s attack on 22 March at the Crocus City Concert Hall. Armed men fired randomly at the audience, injuring 200 people and killing 143. Sarh al-Khilafah, an ISIS-associated media outlet, released an image a week later asking for an attack in the Bayern vs Borussia Dortmund game. But, police increased security at Allianz Arena and thwarted the planned attack.
ISIS Threats Prompt France and Spain to Heighten Security
Spain and France ministers have set more security measures in their stadiums. Gerald Darmanin, French Interior Minister said, “I will remind you that only 10 days ago, IS shared a picture of the Munich stadium and said action should be taken against sports venues that host football games – although all sports can be targeted. Given how important the Champions League is for football, we are of course talking to our partners.
The jihadist images posted this week did not refer to any particular match or event and were shared by pro-IS media groups not officially linked to the organization itself. Two quarter-finals are being held in Madrid this week.”
Spain’s Sports Minister, Pilar Alegria stated, “More than 2,000 police and civil guard officers are being deployed.” Inmaculada Sanz, Madrid’s Acting Mayor, informed journalists that Spain currently has a Level Four terrorist alert. She added, “These announcements are usually propaganda actions to provoke fear. Both the security forces and the intelligence services are studying any possible threat. But there is nothing that makes us foresee a situation of special risk.”
Are Online ISIS Threats Common?
ISIS doesn’t often announce its planned attacks. For instance, they didn’t post the Moscow theater shootings on social media. 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. We continue to work closely alongside the club’s security team to ensure that the match passes peacefully.”
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