The Euro 2024 final made all the headlines for events on the pitch, but it has emerged police took action beforehand to ensure matters off it did not become the main story.
Berlin’s Olympiastadion hosted the final, as Spain made history by beating England 2-1 in the final to secure a record fourth European Championships title.
Cole Palmer came off the bench to level after Nico Williams put Spain ahead, but as full-time approached, Mikel Oyarzabal netted a late winner to ensure England’s wait for a trophy since 1966 goes on.
As ever with large events, there is always a large security and police presence as the authorities aim to ensure everything runs smoothly and everyone attending stays safe.
Sadly, such events can present an opportunity for people and organisations which seek to disrupt proceedings and, in the worst case, cause harm to others.
It has now emerged that there was a plot which would have targeted England fans and their fan zone in Breitscheidplatz, where supporters gathered in great numbers to watch the Three Lions ultimately succumb to defeat against the Spanish.
And details suggest a potentially dangerous situation was ultimately avoided, thanks to the actions of German police.
Getty)
According to a report by The Sun, a total of three suspects were detained following co-ordinated raids by special forces in the Berlin suburb of Potsdam hours before kick-off at the Olympiastadion – and those arrested are said to be ‘known IS supporters’ who were already under surveillance by German police.
A Berlin police spokesperson said: “The homes of three men were searched at three addresses in Potsdam.
“Forces from the special task forces were involved in the operation.
“The measures were carried out in connection with an immediate threat from the Islamist spectrum.”
The three suspects have now been released under investigation by police.
The report adds that the addresses were searched as they looked for five men after they were photographed on phones at a large church and Breitscheidplatz.
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