The FA of Wales said on Friday that the security operation for the four-day period surrounding next weekend's Champions League final in Cardiff "will be the biggest ever seen for a sporting event" in the U.K., according to Jack O'Toole of the IRISH INDEPENDENT. A statement on the Welsh FA's website read, "Delivering a safe, secure and memorable event for all stakeholders, in particular the teams and the spectators, has always been the primary objective for both the Cardiff 2017 Local Organising Committee (LOC) and UEFA. Over the course of the past 24 months, comprehensive plans have been drawn up to ensure that this objective is successfully delivered." The Welsh FA also confirmed that the roof of the Principality Stadium "will be closed for the final, as well as the two official training sessions to be held at the stadium" the day before the game. The statement added, "The 2017 UEFA Champions League Final will be the first final to have been played under a closed roof" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 5/26). The BBC reported up to 170,000 football fans are "expected to travel to the capital to watch the showdown between Juventus and Real Madrid" on June 3. The roof closure was suggested because of "fears of a drone attack" (BBC, 5/26).
'AT CAPACITY': The BBC's Kate Morgan reported the FAW said that Cardiff will be "at capacity." But Alan Hamer, who heads its organizing committee, said that the Welsh capital can "absorb" the influx. Hamer said, "When you look at cities the size of London and Berlin, [with] big footprints, we're pretty much taking every parcel of land in Cardiff. So, the size has been a challenge, but it's also an advantage because when people do come, they can walk around pretty easily." The match will be the "biggest sporting event ever staged in Wales, with a live global TV audience of 200 million." Hamer: "We know the city can cope" (BBC, 5/29). In Cardiff, Sion Barry reported more than 24,000 fans "will fly into Cardiff Airport" for the Champions League final. The Rhoose-based airport said that over the weekend it is "expecting more than 400 additional flights via charter and private aircraft." Airlines have increased frequency on their scheduled services, while KLM will "operate larger aircraft to cope with increased passenger demand" (WALES ONLINE, 5/28).
BUSINESS HELPLINE: The BBC's Hywel George reported a 24-hour helpline has been "set up for Cardiff businesses" ahead of the final next weekend. Some businesses said that "not enough has been done to prepare them for the biggest sporting event ever hosted in Wales." But the team of business owners that set up the helpline said that they were "concerned at the number of companies yet to plan or engage with the council." A Cardiff Council spokesperson said that "every business had been visited and given information about the arrangements." There will be "extensive road closures for safety reasons and to manage the volume of visitors." The hotels have been booked for weeks and there has been "huge interest through accommodation websites" (BBC, 5/28).
