All four UEFA Champions League matches this week are set to go ahead, despite alleged threats from terrorist group ISIS.
A media outlet linked to ISIS has called for attacks on the venues for all four quarterfinal first legs.
In a statement to several media outlets, UEFA said it was aware of the threats but the matches would proceed 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,” the governing body said. “All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
The four games will take place across three cities this week, with two games in Madrid and one each in Paris and London.
Real Madrid hosts Manchester City and Arsenal hosts Bayern Munich on Tuesday, while Atlético Madrid faces Borussia Dortmund and PSG will take on Barcelona on Wednesday.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said security would be “considerably reinforced” for PSG’s match against Barcelona at Parc des Princes.
“I will remind you that only 10 days ago, [ISIS] shared a picture of the Munich stadium and said action should be taken against sports venues that host football games — although all sports can be targeted. Given how important the Champions League is for football, we are of course talking to our partners,” Darmanin told the media.
London police’s deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan said in a statement: “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.”
In Spain, government spokesperson Pilar Alegria said more than 2,000 police officers would be deployed to boost security in Madrid for the two matches.
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