ISIS have Euro 2016 ‘in their sights’ and could turn event into BLOODBATH, experts warn

TERRORISTS are planning to turn the EURO 2016 football championships into a bloodbath, German intelligence has warned.

Islamic State militants have the upcoming sporting event in France "in their sights" and could wage a large-scale bombing campaign, according to security experts.

The head of Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans-Georg Maassen, is convinced that jihadi terror groups want to launch attacks against high-profile Western targets, such as the Euros.

He said: "We know that IS has the European Championship in its sights."

Maassen went on to say that there was "quite a lot of background noise" and "an elevated number of indications" that ISIS, al Qaeda or its Syrian affiliate group Nursa Front could strike imminently.

But Maassen stopped short of saying there was any hard evidence of a specific attack.

The comments come after French internal intelligence chief, Patrick Calvar, admitted his country faces its “greatest threat” from Islamist attacks with the football championships just two weeks away.

He said: "Clearly, France is the most threatened and we know that Islamic State is planning new attacks. 

"Due to suffering setbacks on the battlefield [in Iraq and Syria] ISIS will want to create a diversion and avenge coalition air strikes.

"They will try to hit as soon as possible, and achieve the greatest possible impact."

Around 2.5 million people are expected to flock to France to attend the 51 matches involving 24 teams at Euro 2016, which takes place from June 10 to July 10.

But it is not just fans watching the matches in stadiums who could be at risk.

French city centres will have "fan zones" for people to watch the games on big screens, and these are likely to be densely packed with crowds.

Militants killed 130 people in coordinated terror attacks in Paris last year when they targeted a football stadium, busy bars and cafes.