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Stadium Security Bolstered for Champions League Quarter-Finals
In light of recent threats by the Islamic State, France and Spain are taking decisive action to ensure the safety of football fans attending the Champions League quarter-finals in Madrid and Paris. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin emphasized the importance of heightened security measures, especially considering the specific threats directed at stadiums.
Paris-St-Germain is set to face Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night. “We have seen, among other things, a communication from the Islamic State that particularly targets stadiums. It is not new,” Darmanin stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for vigilance.
Meanwhile, in Madrid, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are preparing to host Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund respectively. To counter any potential risks, Spanish authorities are deploying an additional 2,000 police officers. Government spokesperson Pilar Alegria confirmed that the terrorism alert level has been raised to 4 on a scale of 5, reflecting the seriousness of the threat.
The recent tragic attack on a Moscow concert hall, which resulted in at least 143 fatalities and was claimed by the Islamic State, has only added to the urgency of robust security measures at large-scale events.
As teams like Arsenal and Bayern Munich prepare to clash in London on Tuesday night, security officials across Europe remain on high alert, working tirelessly to protect players and supporters alike during these high-profile matches.
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