A senior German security official has announced that Germany will implement full border security controls during the European Football Championships in June and July.
BERLIN — Germany will implement border controls at all borders during the European soccer championships in June and July, the country's top security official told local media.
In comments published on Tuesday, Interior Minister Nancy Feser told the daily Rhein Post that checks would be carried out at all German borders during the convention “to prevent the entry of violent criminals.” . She added: “This is necessary to protect this major international event as much as possible.”
He said authorities are focusing on protection from Islamic extremists and hooligans, as well as securing networks from cyberattacks.
Fazer's comments came shortly after an attack on a concert hall on the outskirts of Moscow claimed by affiliates of the Islamic State group.
However, the decision to reinstate border checks during the football tournament had been long expected. This has become standard practice during major sporting events and major summits in countries within Europe's nominal ID-free travel zone known as the Schengen area.
Germany has already implemented checks on its eastern and southern borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland due to immigration concerns.
The European Championship begins on June 14th, with hosts Germany facing Scotland in the opening game in Munich. The final will be held in Berlin on July 14th.
Italy on Monday followed France's lead in tightening security following the Moscow attack. Prime Minister Feser's ministry said on Monday that the threat from Islamic extremism remains serious, but the attack has not changed German authorities' risk assessment so far.
