An elite counter-terrorism unit has reportedly been brought in for tonight’s Champions League clash between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes amid an ISIS terror threat.
The Al-Azaim Foundation – a media channel responsible for spreading messages from the ISIS-K branch of the terror group – shared a post that read ‘kill them all’ as they threatened an attack on all four stadiums playing host to this week’s quarter-finals on Monday evening.
Security was subsequently ‘considerably’ heightened at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal’s first leg of their quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, and significant precautions are also set to be put in place in Paris this evening.
According to L’Equipe, police officers from the elite counter-terrorism force the BRI (Research and Intervention Brigade) will be in the ‘immediate vicinity’ of the Parc des Princes for tonight’s game.
The BRI was first formed in the 1960s, and specialises in dealing with serious criminal cases such as armed robbery and kidnappings.
A media channel linked to ISIS shared a post that listed this week’s four Champions League venues alongside the message ‘kill them all’ on Monday night
There will now reportedly be an elite counter-terrorism unit at the Parc des Princes for PSG’s clash with Barcelona tonight
They have also previously been involved in the resolution of hostage crises.
There are currently two national BRIs, a Paris unit and several regional forces that work independently from one another.
The decision to step up security was made during a tense meeting that started just after 8pm on Tuesday evening, as authorities discussed the threat posed by ISIS and made adjustments to their security plan accordingly.
The meeting was attended by interior minister Gerald Darmanin, the internal intelligence services, Paris police chiefs and the general director for the National Police.
A police source also confirmed that ‘an increased number of patrols and additional resources, like drones’ will be in operation around the stadium.
PSG have also opted to increase the number of stewards for tonight’s match with the club set to deploy around 1,500 rather than the 1,000-1,200 they would usually have for a Champions League game.
The club have also asked supporters to arrive with plenty of time to spare ahead of kick-off to allow security checks to be carried out before fans can enter the stadium.
The Islamic State’s last attack took place on March 22 at the Crocus City Hall – a large concert hall in Moscow – once again raising the spectre of ISIS in Europe.
Several men stormed the building dressed in camouflage and killed 144 people, wounding a further 551.
The threat from ISIS will also bring back haunting memories of 2015 when France’s national stadium was hit in a series of coordinated attacks across the French capital which left 130 people dead and hundreds more injured.
Three people died and several others were injured when two suicide attacks and a bombing occurred close to Stade de France during the friendly match between France and Germany on November 13, 2015.
A view shows the burning Crocus City Hall concert hall following an ISIS attack on March 22
PSG boss Luis Enrique admitted he is ‘concerned’ by the ISIS terror threat
Speaking at their pre-match press conference on Tuesday, PSG boss Luis Enrique and defensive midfielder Danilo admitted to being worried about the threat of a potential attack from ISIS.
‘I hope it can be controlled and I hope it’s just a threat and that nothing will happen. Of course we are concerned,’ Enrique said.
Danilo added: ‘Security is always important, not just for us as the players, but for everyone, for everyone who loves sport and this game.
‘I do think that’s important, but we do have to focus on what we need to do, playing football. There are other people who need to focus on everyone’s safety and security.’
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