Police increase presence for Bayern v Dortmund after potential threat

Police officers walk in front of the Allianz Arena ahead of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Tom Weller/dpa

The Munich police have increased their presence around the Allianz Arena, where Bayern Munich will host the Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, following a tip-off about a suspected threat.

An user on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, said to have links with the Islamic State terrorist militia posted a picture with a target placed on spectators around the Allianz Arena.

A spokesman for the Munich police told dpa that the police and the regional criminal investigation department intensively evaluated the photo during Friday night and came to a clear conclusion that there was no concrete evidence of danger.

The German Ministry of the Interior also said that there are no concrete indications of a threat.

"The facts in question are known to the federal security authorities. We currently have no concrete indications of a dangerous situation," a spokesman for the ministry told dpa. The state and federal governments are in close and constant dialogue and taking the necessary measures, he added.

The police spokesman said that the match later on Saturday will take place as planned, but that the presence of emergency services would be increased.

For a game of this importance, 300 to 500 people would be normally deployed. "We're now increasing this number," the spokesman said, but didn't give an exact number.

Bayern said that they are in dialogue with the police.

The Islamic State recently claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall event centre on March 22 near Moscow left 144 dead, the worst attack in Russia for years.

A police vehicle is parked in front of the Allianz Arena ahead of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. Sven Hoppe/dpa

© Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH