Gerald Darmanin noted that the jihadist group had issued threats against all the quarter-final matches scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, not just focusing on the first leg between PSG and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes. It was "a clear threat publicly expressed by the Islamic State."

"The police, with whom I spoke very early this morning, have considerably reinforced the security measures," the minister told reporters."IS has threatened the Champions League quarter-finals, not specifically in France, through one of its communication channels," said a source close to the matter told AFP.

Despite the threat from the jihadist group, European football's governing body UEFA has confirmed that all scheduled quarter-final matches will go ahead as planned. 

"UEFA is aware of the alleged terrorist threats against this week's UEFA Champions League matches and is in close contact with the authorities at the respective venues. All scheduled matches will take place as planned with appropriate security arrangements in place," UEFA said in a statement. 

PSG coach Luis Enrique said in his pre-match press conference: "Who is not worried or concerned about terrorist threats? I hope it is a something we can control and that it is just a threat and that nothing will happen. Of course, it is a matter of concern."

France, which will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games from July to September, raised its alert level to the highest following the IS-claimed attack in Moscow on 22 March that killed 145 people, that killed 145 people. 

French authorities have also stated there is no specific terrorist threat to the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which will be held along the banks of the river Seine on 26 July. Howeverr, there is a 'Plan B' with the opening ceremony in case it cannot go ahead as planned..

Darmanin emphasised that the jihadist threat to stadiums "is not new" and urged "not to fall into what terrorist propaganda seeks, which is to try to sow fear and terror everywhere".