SECURITY WILL BE reinforced at Champions League quarter-final matches today and tomorrow after a communication outlet supporting the Islamic State group published threats against stadiums.
European football’s governing body UEFA said all four games in Paris, Madrid and London would go ahead despite the jihadist threat.
Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium will host the first leg of the Gunners’ last-eight tie against Bayern Munich this evening.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, overseeing the policing of London, said the terrorism threat remains at “substantial” ahead of the match.
“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,” he 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.
“As ever, we ask the public to remain vigilant, and if they see anything that doesn’t look or feel right, then report it to police or security staff.”
As well as the Arsenal game, Manchester City will also play away against Real Madrid in Spain’s capital today.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said security would be “considerably reinforced” when Paris Saint-Germain take on Barcelona in the first leg at the Parc des Princes tomorrow.
Darmanin said there had been “a clear threat publicly expressed by the Islamic State”.
Two games are also taking place in Madrid – Real Madrid host Manchester City today, while Atletico Madrid face Borussia Dortmund tomorrow.
Pilar Alegria, speaking for the Spanish government, said more than 2,000 police would be deployed “to guarantee total security”.
“We are going to have an exceptional deployment of security services, in line with the level of alert set out by the intelligence services,” Francisco Martin Aguirre, the government’s delegate for Madrid, said in a video message.
UEFA said it 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,” it said.
The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the attack on the Crocus Hall concert venue outside Moscow on 22 March in which 144 people were killed.
Includes reporting by Press Assocaition and AFP
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