Champions League matches to go ahead amid ISIS threat

UEFA has confirmed that this week’s Champions League quarter-final ties will go ahead as scheduled despite an alleged terror threat.

Reports claimed that ISIS has issued a threat concerning all four of this week’s ties, and European football’s governing body UEFA has now issued a statement on the matter.

Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in north London will host the first leg of the Gunners’ last-eight tie against Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening, while Manchester City are also in action away to Real Madrid.

Madrid also hosts Atletico’s game with Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, while Paris Saint-Germain’s Parc des Princes stadium is the venue for the visit of Barcelona on the same evening in Paris.

“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 say they are aware of reports of Champions League matches being targeted this week, but insist the terror threat level has not changed from its “substantial” level due to the reports, nor has the policing plan for Arsenal’s game.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan, overseeing the policing of London on Tuesday, said: “The UK terrorism threat level remains at ‘substantial’ meaning an attack is likely, and we work closely with colleagues from across Counter Terrorism Policing in planning for events here in London, to take into account any relevant information that could help us to keep those attending safe.