ISIS 'threatens Champions League terror attacks' as Arsenal take on Bayern Munich - Met Police 'robust' plan

Terrorist group Islamic State has threatened to launch attacks against four venues hosting Champions League games tonight, including Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, according to reports.

The Met Police says it has a “robust policing plan” in place for the game in north London, while the authorities in Spain are on “high alert” ahead of the tie between Real Madrid and Manchester City.

Arsenal face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday evening.

The Daily Mail reports that the Al Azaim Foundation, a media outlet which spreads messages from Islamic State (Daesh, ISIS), confirmed its intentions with a poster on Monday morning. The foundation shared a poster with a message saying “Kill them all”, alongside the names of the four stadiums hosting this week’s Champions League quarter-final matches: the Emirates Stadium (Arsenal), Parc des Princes (PSG), the Santiago Bernabeu (Real Madrid) and Civitas Metropolitan Stadium (Atletico Madrid).

A Uefa spokesperson 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. All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place."

The Met Police’s Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan 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.

"We're aware of online and media reports in relation to calls to target matches across Europe and here in London. However, I want to reassure the public that we have a robust policing plan in place for tonight's match and we continue to work closely alongside the club’s security team to ensure that the match passes peacefully.

“As ever, we ask the public to remain vigilant, and if they see any that doesn’t look or feel right, then report it to police or security staff.”

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The Spanish Government is understood to have activated security procedures, with thousands of personnel adding security for the two games taking place in the capital city.

Just over 8,000 Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund fans are expected to travel to Spain for the fixtures due to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. 

Head of the Spanish Ministry of the Interior Fernando Grand-Marlaska said on Tuesday morning: “In terms of preventing the terrorist threat, the State Security Forces and Bodies have activated all their early warning and protection systems, as well as all their response mechanisms ready and willing.”

He said security protocols have been adopted to ensure the safety of both the players and fans inside the stadiums. 

The threat comes less than three weeks after Islamic State attacked the Crocus City Concert Hall in Moscow on March 22. Armed men stormed the building and fired guns at the audience, killing 143 people and injuring hundreds more.

A week later the ISIS-linked media outlet Sarh al-Khilafah published an image calling for an attack on Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena during the Bayern vs Borussia Dortmund Bundesliga clash, which passed off on Saturday March without incident after security around the stadium was increased.

Manchester City are the reigning champions of Europe and head to Madrid on the back of a 4-2 victory against Crystal Palace. Arsenal are looking to reach their first semi-final since 2009. They play host to Bayern just days after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Brighton which saw the Gunners to go top of the Premier League table.