Atlanta police boost security for England-Argentina World Cup semifinal
Police said they will use enhanced measures for a fixture shaped by decades of football and political tension.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
Atlanta police are increasing security for Wednesday's World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina, Reuters reported, as officials prepare for a match viewed as higher risk because of the long-running rivalry between the countries. The game brings together two fan bases tied to decades of football disputes and wider political tension.
The Atlanta Police Department said it would put enhanced security in place for the match, according to Reuters. The department said the measures followed continuing security assessments and were intended to address potential problems before they develop.
The semifinal is being played at a downtown Atlanta stadium that usually hosts NFL and Major League Soccer games, Reuters reported. Fans had already gathered around the venue on Wednesday morning, with some waiting outside the stadium and others spending time in nearby cafes and bars.
Reuters reported isolated accounts of minor disorder before the match, but said the scene around the stadium was peaceful on Wednesday morning. Some supporters were seen playing cards while they waited.
Authorities are using a segregation measure not previously used at this tournament, Reuters reported. For the first time during the World Cup, fans of the two teams will be directed through separate entrances at the stadium.
The security planning comes after a deadly crush in Mexico earlier in the tournament during fan celebrations, according to Reuters. The tournament has otherwise generally avoided the violent disorder associated with some international matches in the 1980s and 1990s, Reuters reported.
A rivalry with football and political roots
The England-Argentina rivalry has been shaped by incidents on the pitch as well as disputes between the two countries, Reuters reported. It deepened after the 1982 war between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, known in Argentina as the Malvinas, and South Georgia in the South Atlantic.
Argentina's security minister said Argentine supporters would not be allowed to bring flags into the stadium asserting sovereignty over the islands, according to Reuters. The issue remains politically sensitive in Argentina and the United Kingdom.
FIFA rules prohibit items in stadiums that carry political messages, Reuters reported. Earlier in the tournament in Los Angeles, Iranian Americans were able to enter a stadium with flags protesting against the Tehran government, and the match took place without incident, according to Reuters.
Supporters from both sides are expected to give the semifinal a charged atmosphere, with a place in the World Cup final at stake. Police said their preparations are based on ongoing assessments rather than a single reported threat, according to Reuters.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.