FBI and Interpol Dossier Details Terrorist Plots Targeting Lionel Messi and Global Stars
Internal security reports from the recent World Cup reveal a series of foiled suicide bomb plots and violent threats directed at elite footballers and officials. Investigations led by the FBI and IPCC tracked coordinated attempts to target Lionel Messi and systemic harassment of stars like Cristiano
Key takeaways
- Lionel Messi was the primary target of multiple bomb threats, including a planned assault involving AR-15 rifles and suicide vests.
- A joint FBI and IPCC security network monitored high-level terror alerts and intercepted stalkers across host cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico.
- The South Korean national team and French referee Francois Letexier required emergency police protection following specific death threats.
A leaked police dossier has exposed the severe security risks managed by international authorities during the recent World Cup across North America. The documents, first uncovered by Spanish publication Informacion.es, detail a multifaceted campaign of violence and intimidation orchestrated against the sport's most prominent figures. A joint task force, comprising the FBI and the Centre for International Police Cooperation (IPCC), monitored high-level terror alerts and direct threats against players and their families throughout the competition.
Targeting Lionel Messi
Law enforcement reports identify 39-year-old Argentina captain Lionel Messi as the primary focus of extremist activity. In one instance, a caller to Dallas airport claimed three individuals were traveling to a stadium armed with AR-15 rifles and homemade explosives. The suspect explicitly targeted police and players, giving special emphasis to Messi. A separate investigation was launched after a social media user threatened to detonate four explosive devices attached to his body during a match in Atlanta.
Security protocols were further tested during Argentina’s fixture against Egypt on July 7. Explosive ordnance disposal units and K-9 teams conducted a sweep of the Atlanta stadium following a telephoned threat claiming three bombs were hidden in waste bins inside the arena.
Harassment of Global Icons
While Messi faced the most severe kinetic threats, Portuguese veteran Cristiano Ronaldo was identified as the individual most targeted by persistent harassment. Security personnel intercepted a man seeking specific details about Ronaldo's accommodation, leading to an arrest by Houston police at the team hotel. Similar incidents occurred in Toronto, where a fan attempted to enter an elevator with the player, and in Miami. Additionally, French referee Francois Letexier became the subject of a massive digital intimidation campaign, receiving over 6,000 threatening messages via WhatsApp.
Retaliation Against Players and Staff
The dossier highlights a disturbing trend of xenophobic abuse and physical threats following match outcomes. Kylian Mbappe was targeted with racial slurs and an online broadcast showing the burning of his effigy after a dispute with a Paraguayan goalkeeper. Meanwhile, Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth and his wife received death threats after he missed a scoring chance, and Colombia’s Jaminton Campaz was forced to delay his return home following a missed penalty. The entire South Korean squad required a high-security escort to the airport after the team received death threats following their group-stage elimination.
Key Facts
- Coordinated Security: The FBI and IPCC managed a dedicated network to track violent threats and stalkers during the North American tournament.
- Weaponry Cited: Threats included the use of AR-15 semi-automatic rifles and suicide vests.
- Arrests Made: Police detained individuals in Houston and Toronto for attempting to breach security perimeters surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo.
- Digital Violence: Match officials and players faced thousands of coordinated digital attacks, including xenophobic abuse and direct death threats.
Source: Daily Star
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