Organized group linked with ISIS called for attack against Real Madrid players, Euro 2024 and Paris Olympics also mentioned in documents: Reports
Seized documents from the I'lam Foundation revealed that ISIS was planning terrorist attacks on Real Madrid's first team bus, Santiago Bernabeu, and certain prime locations for Euro 2024. The police also found documents suggesting an attack on the next Olympic Games.
Last week, the US FBI, Europol, and the Civil Guard took down the I'lam Foundation, one of the major media centers for the Islamic State. The foundation had various channels that spread the word of the Islamic State in many languages including Spanish.
Among the documents recuperated from the operation, content that was found suggested that they were planning attacks on the Real Madrid first team bus and on Santiago Bernabeu. They were reportedly planning to attack the team bus and the fans who waited by the side to cheer for the team. According to a report by El Confidencial, a poster of a masked gunman was found that read:
"My dear brother. Wait in a place close to the players' arrival point. Aim at them along with their followers."
The report also reveals the way the Santiago Bernabeu attack was planned.
"My dear brother in Al-Andalus. A very valuable objective awaits you. Break into crowds , distract security with improvised explosives and decoy devices and advance towards your main objective with determination," read another poster, urging the men to attack Bernabeu.
Furthermore, an attack on the ongoing Euro 2024 was also being planned. Three venues related to the European Championship were targeted: Munich, Dortmund, and Berlin.
“Score the last goal! ” read the slogan, reportedly suggesting a targetted attack on the Euro 2024 venues.
Finally, the organization reportedly planned terrorist attacks in the upcoming Paris Olympic Games in 2024.
According to El Confidencial, nine people have been arrested during the investigation. The arrests have been from Salt (Girona), Anta (Almeria), Tenerife, and Algeciras (Cadiz). Among these nine, two are currently in provisional prison.
Real Madrid eyeing to sign Paris Saint-Germain's ace defender due to 'favorable contract situation'
With the signing of Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid has amassed one of the best forward lineups in Europe consisting of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Mbappe himself. This forward line will be catalyzed even more by the dominating presence of Jude Bellingham in the midfield.
Now, Carlo Ancelotti's side is looking to bolster the team's defense by attempting to sign Kylian Mbappe's close friend at PSG, Achraf Hakimi. According to journalist Mario Cortegana, Real Madrid wants to sign the Moroccan because of his favorable contract situation.
"He is a player who is liked, who is on the radar, and who fits because he is a world ‘top’ in his position, due to his versatility, and because he is a Madridista," revealed Mario Cortegana (via Fichajes).
He continued explaining the Moroccan's contract situation and why signing him in 2026 would be a viable option for Los Blancos.
"Moreover, perhaps most importantly, he fits into the club’s policy of trying to go for players who are in a quite favorable contract situation. The timing would align. I don’t think he can leave in 2025 because he is at PSG and his future would be with Real Madrid. He would have to wait until 2026," he explained.
Achraf Hakimi is a Real Madrid academy product and left the club in September 2020. If Real Madrid plans to zero in on their plans to bring the 25-year-old to Bernabeu, a homecoming might be on the cards very soon for Hakimi.