Biggest-Ever Security Plan for "High Risk" Champions League Final

Spain will deploy an unprecedented amount of security for Saturday's "high risk" Champions League final.

• By Sydny Shepard
• May 31, 2019

With more than 30,000 English soccer fans headed to Madrid for the Champions League final, Spanish authorities have announced the police operation prepared for the game between Liverpool and Tottenham will be the biggest ever for a sporting event in the Spanish capital. 

The security measures will be unprecedented as the game has been labeled "high risk" due to the country's current terror level, which is Level 4. Spain has been at a Level 4 terror alert since 2015.

"We will guarantee citizens a very powerful security operation during these days in which we will have so many fans in the city of Madrid," National Police general director Francisco Pardo said. 

The security measures for the Champions League include more than 4,700 security personnel, drones to monitor fan activity, and extensive security checks before entering Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. All heavy vehicles will be kept away from the venue.

Authorities said extra measures will be implemented to keep rival fan groups separated from the time they arrive at Madrid's airports or train stations until they leave the city.

"This event, this weekend, will attract many thousands of people to Madrid but I'm sure that with the planning of the National Police and the airports and the local organizing committee, all the visitors who will come to Madrid will have a marvelous time," said Ken Scott, UEFA's safety and security advisor.