Security focus on terrorism threat 'above all' as Euro 2024 kicks off

ISIS has called for attacks at the football tournament in Germany

Police search the UEFA soccer stadium in Dusseldorf, Germany, for suspicious objects, ahead of the European Championship, Thursday, June 13, 2024. (David Young / dpa via AP)

Officers work at the International Police Co-operation Centre in Neuss. Several hundred police officers from all over Europe will operate from there to monitor security during the football tournament. AP

England's manager Gareth Southgate watches a training session as police personnel stand guard in Jena, eastern Germany. AFP

Police patrol as Scotland fans gather at Marienplatz central square in Munich. PA

German police officers guard the Ukrainian team's bus after a public training session in Wiesbaden. AP

Police patrol the official Fan Mile on 17th June Street, close to the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin. Reuters

A police officer demonstrates the new police drone defence unit at the Borussia Park in Moenchengladbach. AP

Police from across Europe have convened in Germany to bolster its defences against threats to Euro 2024, with the country’s Interior Minister issuing a warning about terrorism.

ISIS has called for attacks at the month-long football tournament, which kicks off with the host country's Group A opener against Scotland on Friday.

The focus "above all" was on the threat of terrorism, said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser at a ceremony for about 350 foreign police officers dispatched for the event, although "hooligans and their offences, everyday crime, violent criminals", and cyber attacks were also a focus.

She said the security authorities had the threat of terrorism "firmly in their sights", adding that authorities were not aware of any specific plots.

Germany expects 2.7 million people to attend matches in stadiums across the country and about 12 million in its fan zones for outdoor viewing, including on a long stretch of turf laid out in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.

The fan zones were popular during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but it remains to be seen what effect continuing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the far right surge in Europe may have on the public mood of the major tournament.

"Some people are trying to bring these conflicts into our country," Ms Faeser warned, adding that propaganda and hate speech would not be tolerated.

About 22,000 police officers will be working each day at the tournament. German security authorities are also working with international partners to identify potential threats.

A cohort of 580 officers has been drafted in from all 24 countries taking part in the tournament, after Germany used similar tactics to police the men's 2006 World Cup.

Temporary border controls are in place at all of Germany's nine land borders, which are usually open or sometimes monitored for illegal migration.

The Paris Olympics, the other European sporting tournament this summer, is also facing a terrorist threat.

A counter-terrorism expert told The National ISIS extremists have published "detailed" manuals for adapting drones to attack the games.

Matt Mooney believes there is a “moderately high” probability that there will be a drone attack using a home-made bomb during the event.

French authorities have prepared a plan B for the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, focused around the Trocadero, in the event of security concerns affecting the large open-air parade on the Seine.

Thousands of athletes are due to take part in the procession on the river, which runs through the heart of the French capital, on July 26, marking the first time the event opener will not take place in a stadium.

Public spaces, including transport, are considered high-risk areas during sports events. One of the locations of the November 2015 Paris attacks, which killed 130 people, was outside the Stade de France, the country's largest stadium and main Olympic venue.