Major sporting events 'at risk of ISIS terror plot'

All eyes will be on Euro 2016 in France when it kicks off for a feast of football over four weeks in June.

Next up is the big one.

The Olympic Games begin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August.

Before these huge spectacles there are the Six Nations rugby tournament, the start of the Formula One season in March, and the FA Cup, Europa League and Champions League finals in May,

More than one million spectators are expected to turn out for these high profile events.

Heading out to watch your favourite team or athlete perform was previously a carefree experience.

But security organisations and governments across the planet are working vigorously to ensure we are all safe from the threat posed by Islamic terror groups at sporting competitions.

Yet targeting sports events was an idea for Jihadists nearly a DECADE ago.

Last November thousands of fans packed into Paris’ Stade de France national stadium to watch France take on Germany in a friendly.

Unbeknown to them, an ISIS suicide bomber blew himself up outside moments after he was turned away from the turnstiles.

His intention was the cause mass casualties by detonating the device inside as part of the horrifying terror attacks across the French capital on November 13.

The terrorist failed in his goal but it reinforced the threat posed by terrorist organisations at sports events.

But the failed plot has forced sports authorities to up their game when it comes to protecting the public.

Crime agencies in the US left no stone unturned as they coordinated a major security operation at Super Bowl 50 in California.

Fighter jets, bomb sniffer dogs and snipers were scattered around the Levi’s Stadium – in a scene described as a "war zone” – to deal with a potential terror attack.

Authorities in the States said there was no imminent threat from ISIS or any other terror groups but it didn’t stop the country’s top cops from working with their French counterparts to learn from Paris attacks.

This June, three of the UK’s international football teams – as well as the Republic of Ireland – will travel to France to compete in Euro 2016.

The atmosphere across the nation still remains cautious following the ISIS atrocities three months ago.

French president Francois Hollande this week put his confidence in the country’s security and promised the month-long competition will be "a great celebration of football, while at the same very secure.”

Hollande was in the stadium at the time a suicide bomber blew himself up as the deadly attacks were being carried out across the capital.

Speaking at half-time during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Italy, Hollande said: "Life must continue, we must put on events like this, not give anything up.”

The stars of England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be protected by the SAS at hotels and training sessions during the competition, sources have claimed. 

Roy Hodgson’s Three Lions start their opening Group B game in Marseilles, where security will be on high alert.

An exclusion zone will be placed around the Stade Velodrome and only fans with tickets can enter.

A spokesman for the Irish FA told Daily Star Online: "Security for Northern Ireland supporters, players and staff is paramount and the IFA’s National Security and integrity officer, Stephen Grange, has been liaising closely with the relevant government and football authorities and will continue to do so in the months leading up to the tournament.”

Just days after the bloodshed in France cops in Germany managed to nullify an Jihadi attack across the city, including bombing the Hanover football stadium during the country’s friendly match with the Netherlands.

It is understood a North African terror cell was planning to attack the stadium with assault rifles and suicide vests.

The Olympic Games – the biggest sporting event on the planet – takes place in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to August 21 – a month after the Euro 2016 final.

Reports emerged last year how ISIS is recruiting "lone wolf” Jihadists to hit the Brazilian Olympic Games.

Brazilian newspaper O Estado de Sao Paolo said the country’s intelligence agencies believe the murder cult is targeting young men through online propaganda.

Latin America is untouched by Islamic extremists but evil videos released by ISIS have featured parts targeting the continent.

But that doesn’t mean it is safe from attack.

(dailystar.co.uk)