Portuguese police release security plan for UEFA Champions League

The Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) announced on Tuesday its plan to ensure security in the knockout matches of this season's UEFA Champions League, which will be held in Lisbon between August 12 and 23, reported Xinhua.

"The operation that is being set up aims at public order, tranquility and security of the games and all the activities related to the game", said Paulo Pereira, commander of the Metropolitan Command of Lisbon of the PSP.

According to the head of the local police, all security planning "adapts to the non-presence of the public in the stadiums", due to measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The main points of this operation are the hotel units, training venues, the stadiums where the games are played, in its outer and inner perimeter, and, finally, the city of Lisbon, where there will be a permanent observation of all the activities and monitoring of the fans", he explained.

The Estadio da Luz and Estadio Jose Alvalade will host the quarterfinals, semifinals and final of the UEFA Champions League in the next two weeks, after those matches had initially been postponed.

The PSP explained that the police approach to the fans who visit Lisbon will be "informative", seeking to respond "to the needs for guidance and inform about the health rules in force".

"The police will guarantee the personal safety of the eight teams, concentrating on the stadiums and training places, but it also covers spaces such as the airport, in an approach to prevent public disorders or intrusion into the space of the teams that may disturb the safety of the players in the show," said Pereira.

The commander added that a security perimeter would be created around the stadiums, and that circulation will only be allowed in some periods.

"The information we have is the result of dynamic analysis and throughout the tournament, this work will continue. Foreign fans are expected to be present on an individual basis and will arrive via air and land", said the commissioner.