ENGLAND fans have been warned of a new terror threat for Euro 2024.
The Islamist attack in Moscow has raised “dangers to a new level”, said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, just 75 days before kick-off.
Ms Faeser added: “We are pooling the forces of the security authorities even more strongly for the Euros and are preparing for all possible dangers.
“This is necessary to protect this major international event in the best possible way.
“The security of the tournament is paramount.”
Her chilling alert came just days after the ISIS-K terrorist atrocity at a concert hall in Moscow killed 143.
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Among the drastic steps taken to protect Three Lions fans at the tournament in June will be a plan to temporarily close borders and ramp up frontier checks.
British police will also be in Germany.
A ring of steel will be thrown around every team base, including the home for Gareth Southgate’s England stars, such as skipper Harry Kane and young sensation Jude Bellingham.
They will stay at the swish five-star Weimarer Land Golf Resort and Spa in Blankenhain – with Wags and families also protected.
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It comes amid fears of a menacing reaction from Russia after they were banned from taking part in the Euros – and enemy nation Ukraine qualified last week.
Author and terrorism expert Neil Doyle said: “Euro 2024 represents a major target for groups looking to mount mass casualty attacks for revenge and global headlines.
“The use of drones will be a major concern as they have become a new feature of modern warfare, as seen in Ukraine.
“Germany as a location in itself is also attractive as it has backed Ukraine with arms and equipment.”
Security expert Colonel Richard Kemp, who has worked for the Joint Intelligence Committee and national crisis group Cobra, said: “Russia would like to disrupt this event in some way, such as a cyber attack, and they would hope to embarrass the German government.”
As more than half a million UK nationals prepare to be in Germany for the tournament starting in 75 days, Ms Faeser said: “One thing can be said for sure – the dangers have reached a new level.”
She added: “The state is arming itself even more strongly against all current threats.
“This ranges from protection against Islamists and other potential violent criminals to the security of our networks against cyber attacks.”
The state is arming itself even more strongly against all current threats
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser
Aleksander Ceferin, president of tournament organisers Uefa, has spoken of the “world going crazy” and warned: “The biggest concern is security.”
Germany will host 23 other nations – including England and Scotland – during the month-long 51-game football showpiece kicking off on June 14.
‘Vital to be safe’
Last night, fans were urged to be on high alert for the dangers, with British police being deployed to Germany.
A UK government spokesman said: “Football fans all over the country will be looking forward to a summer of football.
“We are working with the German police to support a safe and trouble-free tournament.
“A UK police delegation will be deployed to Germany during the event and we will also be offering support and advice on how to engage with fans attending from the UK.”
Caroline Dinenage, Tory MP and chairwoman of the sports select committee, said: “Given the safety concerns, it’s vital to be safe, follow the rules, stay vigilant and most of all, have fun.”
Referring to Ms Faeser’s warning, Damian Green, Tory MP and former deputy PM, who sits on the sports select committee, said: “This is a disturbing and sobering comment for all of us who love visiting Germany.
“It is always important to listen to local advice about how to stay safe.”
Tim Loughton, Tory MP and a member of the Home Affairs select committee, said: “With terrorist threat levels heightened across the world it is a sad reality of modern life that popular international sporting occasions have routinely become targets for attacks by fanatical groups who would undermine everything we stand for.”
Safety fears centre on gun-carrying Islamists sneaking into Germany among migrants from the Middle East, and Russian agents entering among Ukrainians fleeing the war.
Given the safety concerns, it’s vital to be safe, follow the rules, stay vigilant and most of all, have fun
Caroline Dinenage, Tory MP and chairwoman of the sports select committee
German intelligence experts say the biggest threat is an attack from the same ISIS-K group’s gun gangs which slaughtered 143 rock fans in Moscow last weekend.
Both the Russians and Islamists have access to high-tech kamikaze drones which could cause mayhem if smuggled into Germany.
Unmanned flying drones have added a new dimension to the terrorist threat after being used by both sides in the Ukraine war and Islamists of Gaza, Yemen, Iran, Syria and Lebanon.
‘Danger increases’
One of the greatest fears at Euro 2024 is a potentially devastating drone attack on a stadium or large gathering of fans.
Drone expert Professor Nicolas Stockhammer warned: “Isis in particular has repeatedly used drones in attacks over the past ten years.
“But technology is more readily available today for both kamikaze drones and as drones equipped with explosive charges.
“And the danger increases if the attackers succeed in capturing modern military drones such as those being used in the current war zones.”
Authorities suspect Russia’s army of cyber hackers are gearing up to cause computer chaos with attacks on stadium lights, transport, ticketing and security systems.
The Kremlin’s industrial scale hacking operations look certain to ramp up as Vladimir Putin seethes over Russia’s exclusion from the tournament.
Ms Faeser also spoke of her concern about the threat posed by far-right groups feared to be graduating from hate crime to terrorism.
Neo-Nazi thugs have fired up bigotry since Germany absorbed more than two million migrants followed by a million refugees from the war in neighbouring Ukraine.
Ms Faeser said: “We thwarted right-wing extremist acts and uncovered a large terrorist network of German citizens.”
Far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is gaining popularity, with politicians such as Rene Springer sitting in the German parliament.
Yesterday, the FA said security was a matter for the Foreign Office.
We approached Uefa for comment.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
