EUROS ON EDGE
Euro 2024 fanzone is LOCKED DOWN after suspicious object found at Berlin viewing area just hours before first game
It comes as Germany has deployed a 'ring of steel' around games at the tournament amid hooligan and terrorism fears
A EURO 2024 fan zone in Berlin has been locked down after a suspicious object was found in the viewing area.
Berlin cops announced the shock find as well as one arrest as bomb-sniffing dogs and disposal experts are rushing to the venue just hours before tonight's opening match between Germany and Scotland.
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The Berlin police announced on social media that they found the object during a routine check before fans pile in to the venue over the weekend.
One man has been arrested and taken away after he left a backpack by the entrance, German media reports.
Local police announced: "A suspicious object was found in the entrance area on Scheidemannstrasse Fanzone.
"This area is currently not available to fans. Our colleagues are checking the object."
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The area has since been closed off to the public as investigations continue.
Beate Ostertag, spokeswoman for the Berlin police, followed up on the scare saying: "A restricted area has been set up for safety reasons.
"The baggage is now being examined. It could also be that someone did not take it into the fan zone."
The German capital is set to be bustling when its first match on Saturday sees a blockbuster tie as Spain and Croatia face-off.
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Six matches are scheduled to take place in Berlin across June and July including the final.
Germany has already deployed a huge security operation across the nation after fears of hooliganism and terrorism plague the tournament.
A robust "ring of steel" has been set up around stadiums to secure high profile Euros games made up of thousands of armed cops to shield against potential attacks.
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The first time the ring will be used will be in tonight's opening clash between the hosts and Scotland.
Crowds are expected to be monitored closely under widespread CCTV, AI, the watchful eye of "super spotters" and plain-clothed officers.
Germany's interior minister Nancy Faeser said 350 foreign cops will be dispatched as part of security to "above all on the threat of Islamist terrorism".
The prolific death cult, ISIS, has hurled out repeated threats against events like the Euros, Champions League and Paris Olympics in recent months.
It has also been revealed that fans who feel “unsafe” or “threatened” during the tournament have been told to say “Panama” to police or staff to get help.
Competition organisers in Gelsenkirchen - where England face Serbia on Sunday - sent out the message today to fans.
Upon hearing the word Panama staff are meant to “immediately offer the possibility of a place to retreat”.
Berlin police announced on X this evening that the area had been cleared.
They said: "Our colleagues have now checked the object. It is a backpack and poses no danger. The bans will be lifted shortly."
There is also a specialist Panama team at the games who are “a multilingual, multi-professional team trained in crisis intervention, non-violent communication and de-escalation”.
The safety warnings are being aimed at Three Lions fans going to the match on Sunday against Serbia after a number of worrying reports in recent days.
On Tuesday, England fans were warned that a 500-strong army of "violence-seeking Serbian hooligans" are set to swarm Sunday's huge clash.
The opening game for both sides has already been labelled as a "very high risk" match by German cops with 1,300 extra officers being deployed on matchday as well as heavily increased surveillance.
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Despite Both saying they don't "have concrete information" on the number of travelling thugs he vowed his team will prepare for any eventuality.
He told : “I guess the biggest challenge for us will be to identify violent, disruptive groups at an early stage, to separate them from peaceful and law-abiding fans, that will be our biggest challenge.”
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