According to Goal.com, Atalanta has increased security ahead of Argentina's World Cup semi-final match against England.
According to the BBC, Atlanta police have announced increased security measures for the World Cup semi-final match between England and Argentina on Wednesday night.
One of the most heated clashes in international football will be replayed in Atlanta. England hopes to defeat the defending champions and reach the World Cup final for the first time in 66 years. Atlanta police are also aware of the special historical and political context of this match.
In 1982, Britain and Argentina fought a 74-day war over the Falkland Islands, resulting in the deaths of 649 Argentine soldiers, 255 British servicemen, and 3 civilians. Britain calls the islands the "Falkland Islands," while Argentina calls them the "Malvinas Islands," and the dispute over their sovereignty remains unresolved.
In an official statement, Atlanta police said, "With the city about to host a World Cup semi-final and welcome an increasing number of residents and tourists, Atlanta Police Department leadership has stepped up public safety and security measures throughout the city."
The statement added: "Reinforcements and additional resources have been deployed and will continue to be strategically distributed as needed in and around the event venues, recreational areas, and high-traffic areas to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone."
The statement concluded, "These precautionary measures are designed to protect the public, deter any criminal activity, and ensure that residents and visitors can safely enjoy this historic event."
The Argentine players had previously garnered attention for singing a song about the Falkland Islands after their 3-2 victory over Egypt in the round of 16, and they were mentioned alongside Argentine football legends Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
The two teams have a history of iconic moments, including the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. In that match, Diego Maradona led Argentina to victory over England with two stunning goals, including the famous "Hand of God," which remains one of the most controversial moments in football history.
On the other hand, Argentina's captain Lionel Messi is about to face the "Three Lions" in his first World Cup match. With the two teams meeting for the first time in 24 years, the Argentine "April 2nd Veterans Association" is also urging fans to separate their passion for sports from political differences.
In its statement, the association said: "Sovereignty should be defended on the international stage through diplomacy, historical truth, and peaceful, non-negotiable claims enshrined in the national constitution... We believe it is necessary to draw a clear and firm line between sporting passion and national cause... The ball keeps rolling, our national honor grows, but the memory remains intact."
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said earlier this week that it was "just a football match" and that he believed the outcome would be decided on the pitch.
Meanwhile, U.S. police praised the outstanding behavior of England fans in the United States and called on fans remaining in the UK to follow their example after more than 500 football-related incidents occurred over the weekend.
These disturbances occurred after England defeated Norway 2-1 in extra time in the quarter-finals, and more than 100 people were taken away by police after the match for vandalism and tournament-related offenses.
