The Champions League witnessed one of its greatest nights with two thrilling games, but a chilling warning preceded the games in London and Madrid.
Ramping up Security Measures
Security for two football matches during the week was ramped up after the police got word of a potential terrorist threat. Police gained intelligence that the terrorist organisation, the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), were planning terrorist attacks for two major football clashes on a busy weeknight.
The Champions League is one of the most prestigious sports competitions on the planet, selling out stadiums of over 60,000 spectators on Tuesday and Wednesday nights across Europe. Before two quarter-finals were held in London and Manchester, questions were being raised on the safety of the venues after police gained worrying intelligence.
German Fans Head to North London
Arsenal, based in North London, sold out over 60,000 seats at The Emirates Stadium in anticipation of a quarter-final clash with German giants Bayern Munich. In Spain, Manchester City were about to face arguably the most-followed club in world sport, Spanish club Real Madrid during the same kickoff time as Arsenal.
Real Madrid’s stadium, the Bernabeu, was due to have over 80,000 fans of both Real Madrid and Manchester City. Before the games, a media channel, The Al Azaim Foundation, informed the public that both games were at risk of a terrorist threat from IS.
The channel warned that all four Champions League quarter-finals, including the two scheduled for Wednesday night, were at risk. On Wednesday, the two huge quarter-final clashes involve Paris Saint-Germain v Barcelona held at the Parc Des Princes in Paris.
France’s History With Football Terror
France has a history of terrorist attacks occurring at football matches, as IS claimed the lives of hundreds of football fans during a game in 2015 held at the Stad de France.
The latest warning was displayed during a news announcement on The Al Azaim Foundation’s channel, titled “Kill Them All.” Before the games, which went ahead as planned, the UK authorities issued a statement regarding the level of security at the game after the threats were received. The announcement stated, “The UK terrorism threat level remains at ‘substantial’ meaning an attack is likely.”
UK Police “Aware” of Threat
Despite the alarm being raised, both football matches will go ahead as planned with UK counter-terrorism police, “aware of online and media reports in relation to calls to target matches across Europe and here in London.”
The games went ahead as scheduled and were both thrilling spectacles enjoyed by all four sets of supporters on Tuesday night as no side could gain an advantage in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal managed to secure a controversial 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard. However, the manager was stunned not to receive a penalty right at the death with a tackle on Saka in the box.
Real Madrid v Manchester City saw plenty of wonder goals, including one in particular from young England star Phil Foden, in a thrilling 3-3 draw in Madrid.
Taking the Games to Manchester and Munich
Both games will be decided in the second legs in Manchester and Munich to see who advances to the semi-finals of the world’s most prestigious club tournament. Despite threats from the Islamic State, hundreds of thousands of fans still attended the matches and witnessed one of the Champions League’s greatest-ever nights.
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The post Champions League Marred By ‘Significant’ Terror Threat first appeared on Edge Media.
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Oscar Davies, an expert in US and UK politics and sports, is renowned for his sharp and engaging writing style, appealing to a broad spectrum of readers.