MADRID – Madrid will deploy a record number of police and security personnel for Saturday’s all-English Champions League final, barring trucks and using drones to counter a high threat of terror and prevent any fan trouble, officials said on Tuesday.
The level of anti-terrorism alert in Spain is four on a scale of five, which implies a high risk of an attack.
“Security forces and corps have done an enormous, exhaustive and excellent job so that we can all enjoy (the match),” Maria Paz Garcia-Vera, representative of the Madrid regional government, told a media briefing on Tuesday.
She said it was important to separate the fans of each team at all times. Fans will therefore arrive at different airport terminals and take different metro lines to the stadium from their separate meeting places in the city – the Colon Square for Spurs fans, and the Felipe II Square for Liverpool supporters.
The security operation will end when the majority of fans have left.
Police Director Francisco Pardo said aerial control of the surroundings and coordination in real time via a drone was this year’s novelty. In a joint effort with UEFA, Spanish police will also launch the so-called Fan Information Teams to advise fans.
“The Champions final is a world showcase, they will be looking at us from all over the world and the Spanish police want to be there to offer a good image of Spain as a safe, hospitable and friendly country,” Pardo said.
