UEFA: Armed Police Guard Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona Champions League Match Amid Terror Threats

(Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Armed police provided security outside the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris as it hosted one of the quarterfinal matches of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday (Apr. 9-10) after a "treat" from the Islamic State terror group recently surfaced. 

A French domestic security source close to the issue told Agence France Presse that the terror group "has threatened the Champions League quarter-finals, not specifically in France, through one of its communication outlets."

Beefing Up Security in Paris, Madrid

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin also told reporters that the jihadist group had threatened all of the quarterfinal matches, and not just Wednesday's match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Barcelona (Barca). 

"The police, whom I spoke to very early this morning, have considerably reinforced the security measures," he said prior to the game.

Reuters also reported that Spanish authorities have also deployed over 2,000 police officers to boost security for the games there.

European football's governing body, UEFA, further said at the time that all the matches would go ahead despite the threat.

"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," the statement said. "All matches are planned to go ahead as scheduled with appropriate security arrangements in place."

France would play host to the Olympics and the Paralympics later this year.

Match Results

As of this writing, all currently scheduled Champions League matches have been completed without any untoward incident or major emergency. 

Tuesday's matches saw Arsenal and Bayern (2-2) and Real Madrid and Manchester City (3-3) both settling with a draw in their respective matches. There would be a rematch for both games on Apr. 18

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid won against Borussia Dortmund 2-1 and Paris Saint-Germain lost to Barcelona 3-2. Their rematches would take place on Apr. 17. 

Barca's Raphinha delivered two goals in its game against PSG in the 37th and 62nd minute, but the winning goal was scored by Andreas Christensen on minute 77 of the match. 

Meanwhile, Ousmane Dembélé (48') and Vitinha (51') scored the goals for the PSG side.