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UEFA have confirmed that this week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg matches will go as planned despite the recent alleged terror threats.
A media channel supporting ISIS recently released several posters urging attacks at stadiums hosting quarter-final matches on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Despite this, UEFA has acknowledged the threats but assured that the games in Madrid, Paris, and London will proceed as scheduled.
On the other hand, officials in France and Spain have also confirmed that additional security measures will be in place.
“UEFA is aware of alleged terrorist threats made towards this week’s UEFA Champions League matches and is closely liaising with the authorities at the respective venues,” read the statement (h/t Sky Sports).
“All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”
On Tuesday, Real Madrid will face off against Manchester City while Arsenal host Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium in London.
On Wednesday, Barcelona face PSG away in France while Atletico Madrid will go head-to-head with Borussia Dortmund in Spain.
What’s the story?
The pro-IS channel has been calling for violent attacks, displaying images of prominent stadiums such as the Emirates Stadium in London, the Bernabeu Stadium and Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, and the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris.
Additionally, an image circulated recently showing the Allianz Arena in Munich, scheduled to host Bayern Munich’s upcoming match against Arsenal.
These threatening images, some featuring masked gunmen, were shared by pro-IS media groups not directly affiliated with the organization.
However, there is speculation that the directive to disseminate these threats may have originated from IS itself, given recent indications of close coordination between official media operatives and online supporters.