World Cup security report details threats against Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and match officials
SEO Title: World Cup Security Report Reveals Threats to Messi, Ronaldo and Referees
Meta Description: A US police report outlines the security alerts handled during the World Cup, including threats aimed at Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and French referee François Letexier.
A United States police report has outlined a series of security incidents handled during the World Cup won by Spain, with Lionel Messi identified as the player targeted most frequently during the tournament. The FBI and the International Police Cooperation Centre worked to assess and neutralise the alerts as the competition moved through its group stage and knockout calendar.
Messi targeted before Argentina fixtures
The most serious reported alarm came before Argentina’s group-stage match against Jordan. A man called Dallas airport and said he and two others intended to enter the stadium carrying homemade explosives and an AR-15 rifle, specifically naming Messi as the intended victim.
- The threat concerned Argentina’s match with Jordan in the group phase.
- The caller said three people would attempt to get into the stadium.
- He claimed the group would have improvised bombs and an AR-15 rifle.
- Messi was expressly named in the alleged plan.
Further threats followed ahead of Argentina’s round-of-16 meeting with Egypt. One suspect posted online that he would enter Atlanta Stadium with four bombs attached to his body and kill Messi.
During the same Argentina-Egypt match, police received a separate warning alleging that three bombs had been placed in rubbish bins in the stands. Explosive-detection dogs searched the entire stadium, and the alert was ultimately found to be false.
Portugal camp faced Ronaldo-related incidents
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal camp also required intervention. FIFA notified the FBI about a suspicious man who was asking for information about Ronaldo’s team hotel.
Two days later, Houston police located and arrested the man inside the hotel where the Portugal squad was staying.
A separate incident occurred in Toronto, where another person was detained after trying to enter an elevator with Ronaldo. The individual said he only wanted a selfie with the Portugal forward.
Protection increased for French officials
The tournament’s security concerns extended beyond the players. French referee François Letexier received more than 6,000 abusive and threatening messages on his personal WhatsApp account after officiating the contentious Argentina-Egypt match.
Willy Delajod, the VAR official for that fixture, was also targeted. Security was strengthened around the homes and families of both French officials as a result of the threats.
