UEFA issue massive statement after ISIS threaten to disrupt Champions League encounters

Despite a threat from the Islamic State, UEFA is adamant that this week's Champions League quarterfinal matches will proceed as scheduled.

ISIS issued a warning on Monday against the four venues— Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium—that are holding quarterfinal matches this week. On Tuesday night, Real Madrid takes on defending champions Manchester City, while Arsenal hosts Bayern Munich during the first-leg match.

Borussia Dortmund will play Atletico Madrid near the Spanish capital on Wednesday night, while PSG will welcome Barcelona in Paris. 'Kill them all' was written on a terrifying billboard that featured the names of each of the four stadiums staging the matches. The Al Azaim Foundation is known for disseminating propaganda from ISIS. 

UEFA issued a statement ahead of tonight’s mega fixtures in the Champions League. The statement 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.”

Less than three weeks have passed since the Islamic State invaded the Crocus City Concert Hall in Moscow on March 22 and opened fire on the crowd with firearms. There were over 200 injuries and about 143 fatalities.

A week later, Sarh al-Khilafah, a media outlet affiliated with ISIS, released a graphic encouraging a strike on Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena before the Bundesliga match between Bayern and Borussia Dortmund. Fortunately, the match went off without any problems when the stadium's security was stepped up.

What have the officials said ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash?

Spanish officials have also spoken about this issue as they said, “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.”

For the next twenty-four hours, more than two thousand members of the Civil Guard and National Police will be conducting surveillance in Madrid.