BERLIN
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said Thursday that police have not identified a specific threat to the EURO 2024 championship, but officials are ready to respond to any security challenge during the tournament.
Faeser said German police are well-prepared for the tournament and will be supported by European colleagues in addressing potential security issues when she addressed police officers from nearly two dozen European countries during a certification ceremony in Bamberg.
“Currently there is no specific threat to the EURO 2024, but we remain extremely vigilant and take every security risk very seriously,” she said, adding that officials have taken additional security measures against potential terror threats, cyberattacks, violence by hooligans and criminal offenses.
Faeser said the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip were having far-reaching effects, also for Germany’s domestic security, and authorities were prepared to respond to every possible scenario.
“Anyone who insults others, calls for more crimes or displays symbols of banned organizations or parties can be prosecuted for this, and that will be also the task of the police officers during the EURO 2024 championship,” she said.
About 350 police officers from 23 countries, including France, Spain, and Türkiye, will work with their German colleagues to ensure security during Europe’s biggest football tournament.
EURO 2024 will kick off Friday with Germany against Scotland in Munich at the Allianz Arena.
An estimated 2.7 million fans will attend matches in the stadiums, and up to 12 million people are expected to watch in fan zones.
The final will be held at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on July 14.
