BALLS TO TERROR
Letters after Dortmund bus bomb attack Brit stars on alert over IS death threat
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BRITAIN’S top sports stars are on lockdown after Islamic terrorists warned they are on a “death list” after the Dortmund bomb attack.
The likes of England footballer Wayne Rooney, tennis ace Andy Murray, Formula 1 king Lewis Hamilton and golf hero Rory McIlroy are upping security.
It follows the discovery of two letters following the Dortmund bus attack minutes before the German team was due to play Monaco in the Champions League.
One warned of an Islamic State “death list” targeting the biggest names in sport “in Germany and other crusader nations”.
Now famous figures have upped their security. Three explosions injured Dortmund defender Marc Bartra and shattered glass on the team bus. It was carrying the squad to Signal Iduna Park stadium for Tuesday evening’s quarterfinal first-leg against AS Monaco.
The devices were hidden behind a hedge and contained pieces of metal.
Police are examining the two letters amid claims the incident is linked to Islamist terror.
Suspects
But they have warned the letters may be an attempt to mislead the investigation. One found near the scene referred to 2016’s truck attack on shoppers at a Berlin market, carried out by a Isisinspired lone wolf terrorist.
Two suspects from the “Islamist spectrum” were being investigated yesterday, German police said.
Ralf Jaeger, interior minister in North Rhine-Westphalia which includes Dortmund, said the probe was looking “in all directions” and it was unclear if one or several attackers were involved.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel labelled the attack a “despicable act”.
She added: “We were all appalled yesterday when we heard about the attack on the bus with the players of BVB in Dortmund.”
Just before the rescheduled game yesterday, which Dortmund lost 3-2, Bartra, who had surgery on a broken bone in his wrist, said: “Hello! As you can see I am doing much better. Thanks for all your messages! All my strength to my team mates, fans and to BVB for tonight!”
Kind-hearted Germans offered beds for fans of the French league side who had to stay overnight.
Leicester City and Atletico Madrid fans showed their unity by sharing beers ahead of their clash in Spain, which Atletico won 1-0 after the referee blundered and gave away a penalty.
A dozen Foxes fans were arrested after brief confrontations with police in riot gear before the game. Fans in Madrid’s Plaza Major were heard chanting: “Gibraltar is ours.”
Premier League football clubs will be on high alert over Easter after the German coach attack.
Security expert Will Geddes, who runs the International Corporate Protection agency, said: “This attack on football will send alarm bells ringing throughout the English game and leagues around the world.”