Maximum security for final after explosions

FOOTBALL bosses yesterday said security around all Champions League matches is at the maximum after a bus carrying the Borussia Dortmund team was hit by explosions on its way to a match.

On Tuesday night the team bus was rocked by three explosions as the players made their way from the hotel to the stadium for a Champions League quarter-final.

The final of the competition is being held in Cardiff on June 3.

South Wales Police have said the security operation is “unprecedented”.

Yesterday, spokesmen for both Uefa and South Wales Police said the security operation ahead of the showpiece final has been going on for months and is already at its maximum.

South Wales Police staff will be joined by officers from all other Welsh forces to police the event.

On the day of the final, 1,500 officers will be in the city – including armed patrols.

They have had 25 officers working on the planning for the event full-time so far and that number will be doubled as it draws nearer.

There will be huge security measures in the city in the build-up to the event.

In the wake of the Borussia Dortmund bus bombings, Superintendent Steve Furnham of South Wales Police said: “The events in Germany yesterday are being fully investigated by the German authorities and we cannot speculate on the matter.

“Detailed safety and security planning and preparation for the Uefa Champions League finals in Cardiff has been going ahead for many months.

“Measures will be taken to restrict vehicular access to a number of areas within Cardiff.

“We are working with our partners here in south Wales as well as with other security forces across the country to ensure a safe and secure environment for the finals in June.”

The UK Government has given a £1.4m grant to South Wales Police towards funding the extra costs.

Uefa competitions director Giorgio Marchetti told the BBC: “The security risk, I think, is the top priority element which is included in the preparation of the matches.

“So for me, as far we at Uefa know, all security arrangements which are done by the clubs and the local police wherever a match is played is already at the maximum and all possible risks are taken into consideration.”

The Borussia Dortmund match was rescheduled for last night.

Mr Marchetti said arrangements at the Westfalenstadion were being reviewed.