England’s semi-final with Argentina has been classified as the ‘highest risk’ match at the World Cup following a meeting of the FBI, tournament officials and local law enforcement.
The FBI, FIFA officials and local police held a security meeting on Monday to assess the risks surrounding the match, highlighting the long-standing rivalry between England and Argentina and concerns over possible clashes between opposing fans.
According to Mail Online, a comprehensive security operation will be rolled out in Atlanta, with England and Argentina supporters required to use separate entry gates. However, fans from both teams will not be segregated once inside the stadium.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has called for calm, despite the fact his players have continuously sang a song referencing the Falkland Islands during their progression throughout the tournament. In 1982, following Argentina’s invasion, 907 people lost their lives in a conflict that saw Britain reassert control over the South Atlantic islands.
Argentina’s foreign minister this week restated their claim over the territory, which was swiftly rejected by Sir Keir Starmer.
‘The message to the Argentine people is that this is a soccer match,’ Scaloni said. ‘We’re going to face a great team with a great coach, but it is just a soccer match, nothing more than that.’
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford also added. ‘It is just a game of football and two passionate sets of fans going there to watch a top-level game,’ he said. ‘That’s what football does. It brings fans together, it brings the nations together and it’ll be, it’s two proud nations, that’s, that’s the key word, and we’re both proud nations. The football will do its talking.’
A heavy police presence will be visible outside each team hotel, while there will be a major focus in the area around the spectacular Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which is where many of the fans are expected to congregate.