Islamic State issues terror threat over Champions League quarter finals

Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium will host the first leg of the Gunners’ last-eight tie against Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening.

Islamic State issues terror threat over Champions League quarter finals Getty Images

The Islamic State has issued a terror threat against this week’s Champions League quarter finals in England, Spain and France.

UEFA said all four ties, being held over Tuesday and Wednesday, are set to go ahead as scheduled but there will be heightened security with hundreds of thousands of fans expected to attend.

Arsenal play German champions Bayern Munich in London, and Manchester City travel to Spain to take on Real Madrid on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Barcelona and PSG clash in Paris, while Atletico Madrid host Borussia Dortmund.

A media outlet linked to the terrorist group posted an image featuring the names of the Bernabeu Stadium, Emirates Arena, Cívitas Metropolitano and the Parc De-Princes.

Spanish police have activated “all alert” systems with more than 1,000 officers being deployed to the City vs Real game.

UEFA then issued a statement on the matter.

A statement from European football’s governing body said: “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,” the statement said.

“All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place.”

The Metropolitan Police and the UK Football Policing Unit have been contacted for comment.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on the Crocus Hall concert venue outside Moscow on March 22 in which 144 people were killed.

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