Heightened Security Measures for Champions League Quarter-Finals
In anticipation of the upcoming Champions League quarter-finals, France and Spain are taking no chances with security. Top government officials from both countries have announced an increase in security measures in Madrid and Paris, where matches are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. This decision comes in response to threats that have been identified from the Islamic State.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin emphasized the importance of heightened security during a press event focused on Olympic Games security. “Regarding the game that will take place in the Paris region, the head of police has considerably strengthened security,” Darmanin stated. The match in question will see Paris-St-Germain facing off against Barcelona on Tuesday night at the Parc des Princes, one of the venues allegedly targeted by the Islamic State.
Darmanin pointed out that this is not the first time stadiums have been under threat, “We have seen, among other things, a communication from the Islamic State that particularly targets stadiums. It is not new,” he remarked. In Madrid, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are set to play against Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund respectively, with both games also cited as potential targets.
Meanwhile, in Spain, government spokesperson Pilar Alegria informed reporters that Spanish police forces will be bolstered by 2,000 additional officers to ensure the safety of fans and players alike during the matches in Madrid. Alegria also mentioned that the terrorism alert level in the country has been raised to 4 on a scale of 5, indicating a high level of threat.
The recent tragic attack on a Moscow concert hall, which resulted in at least 143 fatalities and was claimed by the Islamic State, underscores the seriousness of the threat and the need for rigorous security measures during large public events such as the Champions League matches.
