Islamic State threaten terrorist attack on Champions League games

From Football Espania and

The terrorist organisation known as Islamic State or IS have threatened to attack fans attending Champions League games this week at the quarter-final stage. The authorities are aware of the threat, but have commnicated that there is no reason to be alarmed as things stand.

The report comes from Marca, but has been reported by a number of major news outlets in Spain, and claims that the authorities in England, France and Spain have received the news of a threat from IS, but as of yet believe they have the situation under control. Al Azaim, an organisation that communicates on behalf of IS at times released a picture of a balaclava-clad person with a rifle and the caption ‘kill them all’ imposed on the background of the four stadiums seeing action this week; Emirates Stadium (Arsenal-Bayern Munich), Parc des Princes (Paris Saint-Germain-Barcelona), the Metropolitano (Atletico Madrid-Borussia Dortmund) and the Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid-Manchester City).

The Spanish Government are aware of the threat, but there are no changes planned for the matches in Madrid, which take place just 24 hours apart in the capital. Already high security measures were in place or the event, but on Tuesday morning there will be a government security meeting to decide on potential extra measures to be put in place. The security forces have also alerted those at Real Madrid to the threat.

In the last few minutes the Telegraph has reported on these measures that the Spanish Authorities have taken regarding the matches at their two stadiums. 

The security plan is part of the anti-terrorism measures in Spain, where the current alert level is four out of five.

From Get Football Security will be “considerably reinforced” when Paris Saint-Germain host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes during their Champions League meeting on Wednesday after a “threat” from the Islamic State terrorist group.

So far, I can see nothing about security at the Arsenal ground, the Emirates in North London. 

The Metropolitan Police and Uefa have been contacted (by the Telegraph) for comment.

Update: tonight’s match is still on.

The Metropolitan Police said it had a “robust policing plan” for the match at the Emirates and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan said: “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.

“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 any that doesn’t look or feel right, then report it to police or security staff.”

An Arsenal spokesperson said: “We work closely with the Metropolitan Police regarding the safety and security of all supporters and staff at Emirates Stadium for all our matches.

“Our planning for tonight’s fixture is no different and our approach, working together with the police and Uefa, is proportionate to the current UK threat level.”

Manchester City declined to comment