Germany are set to ban drones at Euro 2024 over fears they could be used to carry out terrorist attacks… as the host country plans to implement temporary border controls to tackle ‘Islamists and hooligans’

The German government has been warned drones pose the greatest terrorist threat to the upcoming European Championships. 

Germany will host its first major tournament since the 2006 World Cup this summer, with Euro 2024 to be staged across 10 different venues from June 14 to July 14.

And the country could impose a nationwide ban on drones amid fears they could be used in terrorist attacks.

‘Drones are becoming one of the biggest problems,’ Andreas Rosskopf, head of the GDP – Germany’s federal police union – told German newspaper BILD.

‘A comprehensive, nationwide flight ban for drones throughout Germany [should be in place] before, during and shortly after the European Championships.’

Drones have become a key feature of modern day warfare and have been regularly used in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Houthi forces in Yemen have relied on unmanned missiles to attack Western merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over the past two months, while Isis have also carried out terrorist attacks using drones.

Terror and drone expert Nicolas Stockhammer – a professor in international studies at Krems’ Danube University in Austria – echoed Rosskopf’s worries. 

Speaking to BILD, he warned drones’ widespread availability online was a major concern for the authorities as was the possibility terrorist organisations may acquire more sophisticated military drones.

‘Isis in particular has repeatedly used drones in attacks over the past 10 years – both as kamikaze drones and as drones equipped with explosive charges,’ he explained.

‘Technology has become more readily available today. 

‘This also increases the real risk that terrorists will resort to this inexpensive and remotely controllable technology. 

‘Plans for the use of drones are easily available in the relevant forums online. The danger increases if the attackers succeed in capturing modern military drones [such as those being used] in the current war zones.’

Meanwhile, German interior minister Nance Faeser has announced temporary border controls will be in check for the duration of the tournament to combat the growing threat posed by ‘extremists and hooligans’.

‘We will carry out temporary border controls at all German borders during the tournament in order to be able to prevent possible violent criminals from entering the country,’ she told the Rheinische Post’. 

‘This is necessary to protect this major international event in the best possible way.’ 

In December, it emerged England supporters may be banned from drinking beer at their Euro 2024 opener in Gelsenkirchen.

Peter Both, the city’s Chief of Police said he was determined to stop boozing inside the stadium and in public areas and warned he will send those misbehaving home.

Speaking to the Daily MIrror, Both said: ‘We’re discussing the possibility of banning alcohol in the stadium and I make no secret of it.

‘Through the ­spectacles of someone responsible for security and in charge of police deployment on that day, I would find it good.

‘We are also currently checking at the moment to what extent we can apply banning alcohol in public places.’