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Int'l Sporting Events Review Security Following Manchester Arena Attack

Sporting events and venues in England "are conducting major security reviews after 22 people were killed in an attack at Manchester Arena," according to the BBC. The Great City Games, an open and free event for the public, "is due to take place in Manchester on Friday." A spokesperson for the organizers said, "We are awaiting advice from the authorities on these events and will provide an update as soon as possible." The FA Cup final, English Football League playoffs and the European Tour's PGA Championship are also this week. Wembley hosts Saturday's FA Cup final between Arsenal and Chelsea, and the League Two and League Championship playoff finals on Sunday and Monday, respectively. An FA spokesperson said, "Fan safety is of paramount importance and we have robust security measures in place at Wembley Stadium. In collaboration with the Metropolitan Police and the local authorities there will be an enhanced security operation for all upcoming events." The European Tour's PGA Championship starts at Wentworth on Thursday. European Tour CEO Keith Pelley said, "As with any major event, security is the highest priority. It was before Monday night and it remains so." The Int'l Cricket Council Champions Trophy will take place from June 1-18 at venues in Birmingham, London and Cardiff. An ICC statement said, "The ICC and ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board] place safety and security at the ICC Champions Trophy and ICC Women's World Cup this summer as the highest priority" (BBC, 5/23). THE SUN's Doran & Terrell reported anti-terror cops "have thrown an impenetrable ring of steel" around the Europa League final in Stockholm amid "heightened fears of another terror attack." The mood among traveling fans was somber in the wake of the attack. A "heavy police presence has dominated Stockholm since Monday," with police helicopters "circling the skies" and armored cars patrolling the streets. Fears of "crowd trouble among boozed-up fans took a back seat as the world of football stood defiantly in the face of terror." ManU players flew into Stockholm on Tuesday and will leave "straight after the game" on Wednesday night, while their wives and girlfriends will fly in Wednesday morning and leave Wednesday night (THE SUN, 5/23).

FULL REVIEW: The PA reported a "full review of the security and policing operations" for the weekend's events in London is under way. Metropolitan Police Commander Jane Connors said, "In London, we are determined to do all we can to protect the capital. That means that over the coming days as you go to a music venue, go shopping, travel to work or head off to the fantastic sporting events, you will see more officers -- including armed officers." Wembley Stadium officials said that there will be "an enhanced security operation for all upcoming events." Officials for the Wimbledon tennis tournament, which is due to start in southwest London on July 3, also said that "plans are in place to ensure the safety of the Grand Slam event." An All England Lawn Tennis Club spokesperson said, "We will take any appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the whole Championships" (PA, 5/23). In Glasgow, Fraser Wilson reported Scottish FA execs held security talks with police ahead of this weekend's Scottish Cup Final following the Manchester bomb attack. Thousands of fans of Scottish Premiership sides Celtic and Aberdeen will descend on the National Stadium for the "showpiece end of season clash on Saturday." Police Scotland "are reviewing safety measures with Hampden chiefs ahead of the match." SFA Security & Integrity Officer Peter McLaughlin said, "We remain vigilant to the threat posed by global terrorism and are engaged in constant dialogue with colleagues at Police Scotland and the National Counter-Terrorism Security Office" (DAILY RECORD, 5/23).

'NIGHTMARE SCENARIO': In London, Ahmed & Tighe reported event organizers described the type of attack that killed at least 22 people outside of a concert arena in Manchester as the "greatest challenge" to security operations, "exposing a weak spot just beyond their checks and patrols." SMG Europe, which runs Manchester Arena as well as several others in the U.K. and Europe, said on Tuesday that the attack "occurred in a public space outside Manchester Arena as attendees were exiting the Ariana Grande concert." An exec at another events organizer, who asked not to be named, said that this represented a "nightmare scenario as security checks were carried out only as attendees approached or were just inside a venue." That exec added, "The outside area is the greatest challenge. It's the same dilemma you have at an airport. Once you're checked in and through security, you're very safe. But in the lobby of the airport before check in, that's where the vulnerability lies. That's what prevailed last night" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 5/23).

'GENUINE CONCERNS' The LONDON TIMES reported South Africa cricket team Manager Mohammed Moosajee said that the deadly attack in Manchester left his side with "genuine concerns" about its tour of England, "but insisted sport must not be held ransom by terrorists." The first match of the series will take place at Headingley on Wednesday. Moosajee said that squad members "had been shaken by the horrifying events at the Manchester Arena." But he said that the ECB's security briefings "were acceptable at present, with additional policing promised at grounds and hotels for the remainder of the trip." Moosajee: "As you can understand, we have some genuine concerns, the players are uneasy ... there was a lot of chatter at the breakfast table. I am happy to say we’ve had constant communications from the ECB and their security manager" (LONDON TIMES, 5/23).

RIPPLE EFFECT: In Melbourne, David Hurley reported people attending concerts and sports matches in Australia "can expect to see tougher security measures in the coming weeks in the wake of the Manchester bombing." Visitors to the Melbourne Cricket Ground this weekend have been told security will be the "top priority" as Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said that parents "should have confidence in sending their children to events in Melbourne." Stadiums across Melbourne were on Tuesday "conducting reviews into their own security measures." Melbourne Cricket Club spokesperson Shane Brown said, "While the threat level in Victoria remains unchanged, and there is no known threat to the MCG, we continue to receive advice from relevant authorities and together review our security processes accordingly" (HERALD SUN, 5/23). The PTI reported the Board of Control for Cricket in India raised concerns about the Indian team's security in England during the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. BCCI acting Secretary Amitabh Chaudhry said, "When I woke up, the first thing which I learnt was about these attacks. As soon as I was in the BCCI office we sent out a message raising our concerns about security of the Indian team's travel, accommodation and the playing (arena). Thankfully ICC has responded to it within two hours. They have been sensitized about our concern" (PTI, 5/23).

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