Brussels terror attacks: Atrocities raise fears ahead of Germany vs England clash, but FA say game will go ahead

Football Association stress that no plans have been made to revise arrangements ahead of the friendly in Berlin

The colors of the Belgian flag are projected on to the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin as the German capital shows its solidarity following the Brussels attacks (Getty Images)

The Football Association will remain in “constant contact” with security authorities in Germany and at home ahead of Saturday’s friendly against the world champions in Berlin, with senior figures insisting the fixture will go ahead as planned despite Tuesday’s terror attacks in Brussels.

Roy Hodgson’s squad trained at St George’s Park in preparation for the encounter with Germany, but the atrocities in the Belgian capital, which left more than 30 people dead, have raised questions over the security measures in place for the showpiece fixture.

Germany’s last home fixture – a friendly against the Netherlands in Hannover last November – was cancelled little more than an hour before it was due to start as a result of what was described as a “concrete threat” of a terror attack in the city four days after the multiple attacks in Paris, which saw France’s friendly against the Germans targeted at the Stade de France.

Hodgson and his squad are due to fly to Berlin on Friday, but the FA – which upgraded its security measures following the Paris terror attacks – has stressed that no plans have been made to revise arrangements ahead of the game. “Our plans haven’t changed,” said an FA spokesman. “We have been in constant contact with the German authorities and our security measures are already very stringent.”

The FA, which has already expressed its sympathies to their Belgian counterparts, will liaise with the German football federation over the possibility of a minute’s silence as a tribute to the victims of the Brussels attacks.

Belgium’s coach, Marc Wilmots, whose team are due to face Portugal in a friendly in Brussels next Tuesday, called off a planned practice session at the King Baudouin Stadium following the attacks on the city. The team made a joint statement on its Twitter feed (@BelRedDevils), saying: “We are all together with our thoughts with the victims. Football is unimportant today. Training cancelled.”

With France remaining on a state of high alert following the events of last November, concerns over security plans for Euro 2016 have returned to the forefront of the agenda.

Bernard Cazeneuve, France’s Interior Minister, insisted that the country will impose the strongest possible security measures to ensure the tournament passes without incident. “The events in Brussels remind us of the very high level of security which is necessary to ensure Euro 2016 is successful,” he said. “Euro 2016 must combine sportsmanship, festivity and security for the teams, coaches and fans.


 Marc Wilmots called off a practice session following the attacks 
 (Getty)

“It is 80 days to the start of Euro 2016 and the organisers, cities and state services are fully mobilised. Euro 2016 should be a celebration, but collective security is an obligation for everyone alongside the government.”

Uefa has insisted it will take “all necessary measures” to ensure Euro 2016 is a safe and secure tournament. “Following today’s events in Brussels, Uefa wishes to reaffirm its commitment in placing safety and security at the centre of its organisational plans for Euro 2016,” a statement read. “All stakeholders involved in the organisation of the tournament will continue their joint work and will regularly monitor the level of risk for the tournament and their respective organisational plans.”

England will continue to monitor the fitness of Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck, who along with Ryan Bertrand did not train, before departing for Germany.

Welbeck is understood to be receiving treatment on a knee problem, while the Southampton left-back Bertrand is expected to return to his club for treatment to the knock he picked up against Liverpool on Sunday.