A-League side Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata said that security at Australian stadiums "has been increased in the wake of the Paris terror attacks," according to Mitchell & Bagshaw of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.
Disgruntled football fans "took to social media on Saturday night after they experienced security measures some deemed to be over the top as they entered the venue." Fans including young children "were searched, scanned with metal detectors and had to show the contents of their pockets as they walked into the venue." In response to fan comments, Pignata wrote on Twitter that "he would speak to staff at Sydney Football Stadium." When asked why this security was being increased, he said that "it was in relation to a heightened environment of terror after the Paris attacks in November." Pignata tweeted, "We live in a different world unfortunately. Look what happened after 9/11. After 9/11 airlines increased their security. What happened in Paris has changed things."
Phil Head, a spokesperson for the trust that administers the Sydney Cricket Ground, would not comment on specific security arrangements for the venue but said staff were "in contact with the relevant authorities." Security "was also tight at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where cricket's Boxing Day Test was in its second day on Sunday" (SMH, 12/27).
RUSSIAN STRATEGY: The AAP reported 2018 Russia World Cup CEO Alexey Sorokin said that Russia "has developed a strategy to prevent terrorist attacks at the 2018 event." He said Russian authorities "developed a concept and a strategy which we believe is so good that there will be no attacks during the 2018 World Cup" (AAP, 12/27).
