TOFaced with the terrorist threat, Spain and France have played the quarterfinals of the tournament Champions League Security systems were reinforced in Madrid and Paris. “To prevent the terrorist threat, the State security forces have activated all their early warning and protection systems, as well as their defense mechanisms,” stated the Ministry of the Interior in Madrid.
This Tuesday (9:00 p.m. in FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and in DAZN), Manchester City will face Real Madrid in the first leg of the quarterfinals at the Bernabéu Stadium. On Wednesday (9 pm in FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and on DAZN) Borussia Dortmund plays against Atlético de Madrid at the Metropolitan Stadium.
The Government and the State security forces have taken all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of the participants and visitors of the two sporting events, as well as Spanish citizens as a whole, the ministry stressed.
2,000 police officers and other security personnel would ensure that the two games were held safely. The ministry did not specifically mention possible assassination threats from Islamist groups, but Spanish media spoke of possible threats from jihadists.
Meanwhile, France's interior minister resigned. Gerald Darmanin on Tuesday that security measures in Paris would be “significantly reinforced” following a “threat” from the Islamic State to the Champions League quarterfinals, the French news agency AFP reported. Paris Saint-Germain hosts FC Barcelona on Wednesday night at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The highest level of terrorist alert is already applied in France.
Meanwhile, European Football Union UEFA stressed that this week's Champions League quarter-finals will go ahead as planned despite the terrorist threat, British news agency PA reported. “UEFA is aware of the alleged terrorist threats against this week's UEFA Champions League matches and is in close contact with the authorities at the respective venues,” it said in a statement. “All games will take place as planned and with appropriate safety precautions.”