Security raised during Champions League draw after threats

Security has been stepped up for Champions League matches after Islamic State-backed media reported threats against the venue.

Ministers from both France and Spain confirmed increased security measures.

Pro-IS media channels published several images of the stadium where the quarter-finals will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

UEFA said it was aware of the threat but said matches in Madrid, Paris and London would go ahead as scheduled.

French Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin said there would be “significantly increased” security measures in place when PSG play Barcelona in Paris on Wednesday.

Darmanin added: “Just to clarify, just 10 days ago IS shared photos of Munich Stadium and said action should be taken against sports venues hosting soccer matches. , any sport could be a target. Given how important the Champions League is, it’s for football and we are of course talking to our partners.”

The jihadist images posted this week did not refer to any specific match or event and were shared by a pro-IS media group not officially affiliated with the organization itself.

Two quarter-final matches will be held in Madrid this week. Real Madrid are currently at home to Manchester City, while Atlético Madrid face Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.

Spain’s Sports Minister Pilar Alegría issued a message of “calm” ahead of the match in Madrid and said “more than 2,000 police officers and private security personnel” were being deployed.

Inmaculada Sanz, acting mayor of Madrid, told Spanish media there was no particular threat, adding that Spain’s terror alert level was classified as high risk at four out of five.

“These announcements are usually fear-mongering propaganda efforts,” she said.

“Security forces and intelligence agencies are studying all possible threats, but nothing foresees a particularly dangerous situation.”

Counter-terrorism officials told the BBC that IS usually does not advertise planned attacks, citing last month’s mass shooting at a Moscow theater. This was not discussed beforehand on any social media channels.

Arsenal are currently playing against Bayern Munich in London. Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “We are aware of online and media reports relating to calls targeting matches across Europe and here in London.

“However, we would like to reassure the public that we have a robust security plan in place for tonight’s match and continue to work closely with the club’s security team to ensure the match takes place peacefully.” .”

The pro-IS channel featured images of the Emirates Stadium in London, the Bernabéu and Metropolitano stadiums in Madrid, and the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris.

Although the channel is not officially affiliated with IS, its instructions to publish threats come as its leaders have recently signaled close collaboration between official media operatives and online supporters. It is thought that it may have come from the group itself.

Experts at the BBC monitoring service say content attempting to incite attacks on channels with long-standing ties to the group has increased in the wake of last month’s attack on a concert hall in Moscow.

Another image shared last week shows Munich’s Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich’s return match against Arsenal is scheduled to take place next week.

A spokesperson for European football’s governing body said: “UEFA is aware of the alleged terrorist threats against this week’s UEFA Champions League matches and is working closely with the authorities at each venue.”

“All matches will be held as scheduled, with appropriate security arrangements in place.”

Germany is scheduled to host the Euro 2024 European Championship later this year.

“The danger has reached a new level,” German Interior Minister Nancy Feser said last month when asked about threats to stadium security. “The nation is even more powerfully armed against all current threats,” she added.

Ahead of the game between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at Emirates Stadium, a spokesperson said venue staff were “working closely with the Metropolitan Police to ensure the safety of all supporters and staff at Emirates Stadium at all matches”.

“The planning for tonight’s match is no exception and our approach, in collaboration with police and UEFA, is proportionate to the current threat level in the UK.”

Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Ade Adelekan said officers had a “robust security plan” in place for Tuesday’s match, but urged the public to “remain vigilant” at the match.

“The UK’s terrorist threat level remains ‘severe’, meaning an attack is likely, and we are working closely with colleagues across Counter Terrorism Policing as we plan events here in London. “We are taking the relevant information into account. Please keep our participants safe.”