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London — Anonymous online supporter of an Islamic terrorist group ISIS The threat posed a threat to soccer stadiums across Europe ahead of a key match in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, the biggest club competition in European soccer.
A post circulated this week by the pro-ISIS online media Al Azaim Foundation showed a graphic image of a balaclava-wearing gunman with the message “Kill them all” written in large letters. The post names London’s Emirates Stadium, Paris’ Parc de Princes (sic) and Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu as targets.
All three stadiums will host key Champions League matches, with tens of thousands of fans in attendance.
No related threats were communicated through official social media accounts operated by or known to be affiliated with ISIS.
Frank Augstein/Associated Press
UEFA, which organizes the Champions League competition, said in a statement sent to CBS News on Tuesday: “We are aware of the alleged terrorist threats made against this week’s UEFA Champions League matches and have confirmed that the authorities at each venue have We are working closely with.” ”
“All matches will be held as scheduled, with appropriate security arrangements in place,” the statement said.
Richard Burns, the Met’s counter-terrorism adviser who heads up stadium security, said police were investigating online threats ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium. admitted.
But he told CBS News that online threats “are not a new tactic used by various terrorist groups to cause alarm or increase alarm.”
Mr Burns said London Police’s counter-terrorism unit was “investigating this matter and will work with internal and external partners and stakeholders to ensure this does not impact on tonight’s match at Emirates Stadium”.
In response to the threat, French Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin said security would be “significantly increased” before and after Wednesday’s Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona in the French capital, according to AFP news agency. said.
The threat and increased security measures came just weeks after the incident. Bloody attack on Russian capital Crocus City HallThere was a scene where an armed group attacked a concert venue and then set it on fire.
The Russian branch of ISIS claimed responsibility for the unprecedented attack, which killed around 200 people.
It also comes days after an 18-year-old man from Idaho was arrested and charged. Planning to kill churchgoers in his town in the name of ISISaccording to court documents unsealed earlier this week.
ISIS has a history of bloody attacks on mainland Europe, including well-planned and devastating attacks. Attacks on multiple locations around Paris in 2015. The French national soccer stadium, just north of Paris, was the only location on the outskirts of the capital that came under attack by ISIS militants during the siege. It is not the same venue mentioned in a post on a pro-ISIS website this week.
CBS News’ Khaled Wassef contributed to this report.
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