2,000 police officers deployed for Champions League final
With an estimated 350 million people expected to watch the world's
biggest club game this weekend, Britain is mounting a huge security
operation to ensure the match goes off peacefully.
Amid heightened
security following the recent terror attack in Manchester, which killed
22 people, 6,000 police officers -- 600 armed -- have been deployed in
the Welsh capital Cardiff over four days. On Saturday, 2,000 police
officers will be on patrol.
Security has also ensured the
Principality Stadium roof will be closed when Real Madrid take on
Juventus in European club football's premier competition, making it the
first Champions League final to be played under a closed roof.
Shutting
the roof prevents the possibility of a terrorist drone strike, though
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said in April there was "no specific
threat" of such an attack.
Fan zones have been sectioned off with
barriers, while the streets surrounding the stadium are closed. Water
travel along the River Taff and Cardiff Bay has also been banned.
Different magnitude
South Wales Police assistance chief commissioner Richard Lewis told CNN that the "eyes of the world" were on Cardiff.
But Lewis said plans had not been changed as a consequence of the Manchester attack, which happened at an Ariana Grande concert.
"From
when the event was awarded to Cardiff two years ago there have been a
number of terrorist attacks, in France, in Germany. While the Manchester
attack was a shock, we haven't changed our plans, but we have stepped
up visibility," he said.
Nearly 200,000 fans are expected to visit
Cardiff, with millions more across the world watching club football's
biggest cup match on TV.
Cardiff is a city accustomed to hosting
sporting events, such as the 1999 Rugby World Cup and international
rugby union and football matches, but Lewis admitted this match was of a
"different magnitude."
"This is slightly different because there is such a worldwide interest," he added.
In
April, South Wales Police Superintendent Steve Furnham said it would be
the "biggest single sporting security operation in the UK."
Juve and Real eye records
Spanish giants Real are hoping to become the first team to
successfully defend their title in 27 years -- and the first to do so in
the history of the Champions League.
Juventus, who have already
won the Coppa Italia and the Italian league, could become only the ninth
European side to achieve a cup treble.
Both sides are competing in their sixth Champions League final, equaling a record held by AC Milan.
For Real star Gareth Bale, the match is a bitter-sweet homecoming.
The
final is being held just three miles from the Welshman's old high
school and a short drive from his family home, but the forward told CNN
this week that he was "obviously not 100 percent match fit" after an
injury-plagued end to the season.
The 27-year-old underwent
surgery after injuring his ankle in November and has since been
suffering from recurring calf injuries, brought on by a premature return
to action.
Source: CNN
No comments
Your comments and Encouragement are welcome