By David Jarvis and Alistair Grant
Sunday January 24,2010
Security chiefs believe England’s World Cup stars are being targeted by an Islamic terror cell operating in South Africa.
England’s opening game against the USA is seen as a high-profile target for the Al Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab group, which is led by Sheikh Moktar Ali Zubeyr.
Premiership players John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and David Beckham are likely to be in the team and media coverage of an attack would send shockwaves around the world.
A secret report obtained by the Sunday Express identifies al-Shabaab as a “credible threat” to the England squad and the 25,000 fans expected to follow them to South Africa.
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The Somali-based terrorist group has a presence in the Western Cape region of South Africa, as well as the country’s major cities, and is understood to have been behind a threat that prompted the US to close its embassy and consulates in September.Read more »
South African intelligence services are aware that elements of the Somali population, many of whom are living in the country illegally, have become radicalised by al-Shabaab.
They are known to have easy access to guns and explosives, making an attack on the England v USA game on June 12 at the 42,000 capacity Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, near Johannesburg, a real threat.
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