Security in Paris reinforced for Champions League due to ISIS threat
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The French government said Tuesday that security will be “considerably” reinforced in Paris for a crucial Champions League football match after a threat from the Islamic State group.
The terrorist organization reportedly threatened to target quarterfinal games in UEFA’s flagship competition this week. In France, Paris Saint-Germain will host Barcelona on Wednesday night.
“The police chief with whom I spoke very early this morning has considerably increased the security resources,” French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin told reporters Tuesday.
Earlier this week, a media outlet linked to ISIS released a threatening image naming the four host stadiums, which included the caption “Kill them all.”
The poster prompted the governments of the host countries to increase security measures.
Earlier Tuesday, the Spanish interior ministry also issued “orders to reinforce security where the matches will be held,” according to Spanish newspaper El País.
Two quarterfinal matches will be held in Madrid this week, with Real Madrid taking on Manchester City later Tuesday and Atlético Madrid playing against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. In the fourth fixture Arsenal will host Bayern Munich in London, also on Tuesday.
European football governing body UEFA said the matches will go ahead as planned.
“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,” it said. “All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
