UEFA says it is aware of alleged threats made by a pro-Islamic State media channel that have encouraged an attack on the venues staging Champions League games this week.
The Al Azaim Foundation, who have previously spread communications from the terrorist organisation, have shared multiple posts that call for violence to be carried out in London, Madrid and Paris over the next two nights.
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In response, government ministers in Spain and France have announced enhanced security measures would be put in place while UEFA confirmed tonight’s games between Arsenal and Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and Manchester City would go ahead as planned.
Tomorrow night sees Atletico Madrid host Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain take on Barcelona.
UEFA said: “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 are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
Spain’s head of the Interior Ministry Fernando Grand-Marlaska said: “In terms of preventing the terrorist threat, the State Security Forces and Bodies have activated all their early warning and protection systems, as well as all their response mechanisms ready and willing.”
France’s Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said increased security would now be deployed at the Parc des Princes tomorrow night.
“We have seen, amongst others, a message from the Islamic State which particularly targets stadiums, which isn’t new,” Darmanin told reporters on Tuesday. “The police chief, with whom I spoke very early this morning, has considerably reinforced security resources.”
Metropolitan Police 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.”
