Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Germany is “very well prepared” to deal with any security hazards at the upcoming UEFA European Football Championship.
“In summary terms, we are facing a great threat, but we do not have anything concrete,” he said, adding that there is no one hundred percent security.
The month-long championship, also known as Euro 2024, kicks off on Friday.
“Security is the top priority for us,” Faeser said, during his stopover at a foreign police center set up for the tournament on the outskirts of the western city of Dusseldorf. “We are very, very well prepared and I hope that the games will take place calmly and safely. “
Between June 14 and July 14, 51 matches will be played in 10 German cities. An estimated 2. 7 million football fans will attend stadiums, while public events are expected to attract around 12 million people.
Security concerns have risen following the arrest last week of an alleged “Islamic State” supporter who allegedly applied, unsuccessfully, to work on Euro 2024 events.
The man, a German, Moroccan and Polish national, was arrested at Cologne airport on suspicion of having transferred $1,700 (1,580 euros) to an account belonging to an IS affiliate.
The interior minister of the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Herbert Reul, claimed that the man had worked as a stewardess at Euro 2024.
“We have reviewed all those who will paint in those zones of security and order because they want accreditation,” he said. “And the accreditation process has become transparent that this young man can simply be challenging and that’s why we’re now taking care of him carefully. “
He added that there is no indication of a planned attack.
Faeser described the arrest as “a wonderful success,” demonstrating that the security checks carried out were “obviously working. “
About 580 police officers from other countries will be incorporated into German law enforcement to patrol host cities, exercise centers and exercises.
Since Friday, police have been carrying out additional checks along German borders in preparation for the championship. Additional security measures will remain in place until July 19.
Faeser had earlier said the measures were part of an effort to combat a range of potential security threats, from Islamist terrorism to football hooliganism.
NM/WMR (with DPA)