Elite counter-terrorism unit ‘to be in place at Parc des Princes for PSG’s Champions League clash with Barcelona tonight’ amid ISIS terror threat
- A media outlet linked to ISIS threatened to attack Champions League venues
- An elite counter-terrorism unit will be on site for PSG-Barcelona this evening
- Could Erik ten Hag find himself back at Ajax? Listen to the It’s all Kicking Off podcast
An elite counter-terrorism unit has reportedly been deployed for tonight’s Champions League match between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes amid an ISIS terror threat.
The Al-Azaim Foundation – a media outlet responsible for spreading messages from the terror group’s ISIS-K branch – shared a message saying “kill them all” as they threatened to attack all four stadiums who hosted this week’s quarter. final on Monday evening.
Security was then ‘significantly’ increased at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday for Arsenal’s first leg of their quarter-final against Bayern Munich, and significant precautions will also be taken in Paris tonight.
According to L’EquipePolice officers from the elite counter-terrorism force the BRI (Investigation and Intervention Brigade) will be in the ‘immediate vicinity’ of the Parc des Princes for tonight’s match.
The decision to step up security was made during a tense meeting that began just after 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening, as authorities discussed the threat from ISIS and adjusted their security plan accordingly.
A media outlet linked to ISIS shared a message on Monday evening showing this week’s four Champions League venues, alongside the message ‘kill them all’.
An elite counter-terrorism unit will now reportedly be present at the Parc des Princes for PSG’s match with Barcelona tonight
The meeting was attended by Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, the internal intelligence services, Paris police chiefs and the general director of the National Police.
A police source also confirmed that “an increased number of patrols and additional resources, such as drones” will be deployed around the stadium.
PSG have also chosen to increase the number of stewards for tonight’s match. The club will deploy around 1,500 stewards instead of the 1,000 to 1,200 they would normally have for a Champions League match.
The club has also asked supporters to arrive well in advance of kick-off so that security checks can be carried out before fans can enter the stadium.
Islamic State’s latest attack took place on March 22 on the Crocus City Hall – a major concert hall in Moscow – once again raising the specter of ISIS in Europe.
Several men stormed the building, dressed in camouflage, and killed 144 people, injuring another 551.
The threat from ISIS will also bring back terrifying memories of 2015, when the French national stadium was hit by a series of coordinated attacks in the French capital, killing 130 people and injuring hundreds.
Three people were killed and several others injured when two suicide bombings and a bomb attack occurred near Stade de France during the friendly match between France and Germany on November 13, 2015.
During their pre-match press conference, PSG boss Luis Enrique and defensive midfielder Danilo admitted they were concerned about the threat of a possible attack from ISIS.
A view shows the Crocus City Hall concert hall burning after an ISIS attack on March 22
PSG boss Luis Enrique admitted he is ‘concerned’ about the terror threat from ISIS
“I hope it can be contained and I hope it’s just a threat and nothing will happen. Of course we are concerned,” Enrique said.
Danilo added: ‘Safety is always important, not only for us as players, but for everyone, for everyone who loves sports and this game.
‘I think that is important, but we have to concentrate on what we have to do: play football. There are other people who need to focus on keeping everyone safe.”
