AP - Iran fears its national soccer team could
become a target of terror groups at the World Cup, Germany's Interior
Ministry said.
Iranian officials said they were worried that dissident groups like People's
Mujahideen, opposed to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad regime, could become
violent during the month-long World Cup beginning June 9.
"We have no indication anything is planned, but we take this very
seriously," German Interior Ministry spokesman Christian Sachs said on
Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia, US and England teams are also causing security concerns for
the upcoming event.
Germany deputy interior minister August Hanning said he has great hopes that
the World Cup will go off without harm.
The exact number of police officers or security personnel for the games is
difficult to determine because the nine German states where matches are
going to be played are responsible for their own security.
The 32 teams at the tournament will send a combined 500 police officers from
their respective countries and a 300 more will come from the European Union.
England leads with 40 officers, who will act as "spotters" and report on any
hooligans they recognise from home.
