A senior White House official overseeing World Cup security says the biggest concern ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal match at Dallas Stadium in Arlington is not a known threat; it’s complacency.
After eight World Cup Dallas matches with no major security incidents, Andrew Giuliani, who leads President Donald Trump’s FIFA World Cup Task Force, told NBC 5 Investigates that security teams must remain vigilant as Spain takes on France in the highest-profile match held in North Texas so far.
Law enforcement teams have spent more than 30 days monitoring intelligence, controlling stadium crowds in Arlington, protecting the fan festival and World Cup International Broadcast Center in Dallas, guarding restricted airspace against drone threats, securing team hotels and escorting players.
Edward Ayala, NBC 5 InvestigatesEdward Ayala, NBC 5 Investigates
Drone, left, and the IBC in Dallas, right.
Giuliani said fatigue becomes a concern for security teams operating at a heightened level for weeks, especially in the North Texas heat.
“It really is something that I’ve reminded our team about that we need to stay on our game as sharp as we ever have in spite of the fact that fatigue is probably kicking in right now,” Giuliana said.
Security leaders said they are not aware of any credible threats against Tuesday’s semifinal match. Giuliani said the security plan remains largely the same as it was for previous matches, including intense monitoring for potential threats.
Edward Ayala, NBC 5 InvestigatesEdward Ayala, NBC 5 Investigates
Andrew Giuliani
“We continue to focus on a minute-by-minute basis to see if we can uncover any potential intelligence that will make not just the World Cup site safe at AT&T Stadium – or Dallas Stadium in Arlington,” Giuliani said.
There have been challenges during the tournament. Arlington Police reviewed stadium security measures after fans were arrested for attempting to sneak into previous matches without tickets.
More than a dozen people have been arrested so far, and as NBC 5 Investigates first reported, Arlington Police said one person was able to get inside and then elude capture.
Edward Ayala, NBC 5 InvestigatesEdward Ayala, NBC 5 Investigates
Fans outside Dallas Stadium in Arlington during the World Cup.
Giuliani said law enforcement responded well to that potential threat.
“I think they’ve done very, very well. I mean, you look at this and there’s been really no major security incidents. Uh, that was obviously concerning. Uh, but you know, adjustments were made,” Giuliani said.
Security officials have also dealt with drone concerns. The FBI’s Dallas Field Office told NBC 5 Investigates it has seized at least 84 drones suspected of illegally flying in restricted airspace around both Dallas Stadium in Arlington and the fan festival at Dallas Fair Park.
Areas around Dallas Fair Park and “Dallas Stadium” in Arlington were no-fly zones during the World Cup.
Giuliani said that the number was not a surprise and that he expected many drones would be seized. Nationally, more than 700 drones have been seized by law enforcement, and more than 1,500 have been detected in airspace around FIFA-related events, according to the White House Task Force.
“We knew that it was going to be a significant amount,” Giuliani said.
After weeks of drone seizures, including serious criminal charges filed against two drone operators accused of launching in the stadium no-fly zone, officials said the message appears to be getting through.
“I think the good thing is what we’re starting to see is those numbers, after about week two, they started to come down,” Giuliani said.
Giuliani declined to answer whether any of the drone operators who were arrested were attempting to disrupt World Cup events and said he did not want to focus on specific cases. He said most people caught flying drones in restricted airspace either did not understand the restrictions or disregarded the rules.
Edward Ayala, NBC 5 InvestigatesEdward Ayala, NBC 5 Investigates
NBC 5 senior investigative reporter Scott Friedman talks with Andrew Giuliani.
So far, in federal charges filed in Dallas and across the country, prosecutors have not indicated that anyone intended to harm people, however investigations into intent may be ongoing.
With one game left in Arlington, Giuliani said he is confident in the security team.
“I think they’ve done a fantastic job in Dallas and Arlington,” Giuliani said.