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Ex-Olympics security boss warns Iranian ‘sleeper cells’ likely plotting World Cup attack
NY Post ^ | 5/09/26 | Geoff Earle, Shane Galvin

Posted on 05/09/2026 6:22:24 AM PDT by Libloather

The man who ran security at 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and the 1996 Atlanta Games — where a bomber killed two and wounded more than 100 — warns that Iranian “sleeper cells” are likely plotting attacks during next month’s World Cup, as federal officials race to secure the 39-day competition.

“I’m fairly confident there are Iranian sleeper cells or surrogate sleeper cells, and this would be an incredible opportunity for sleeper cells to attack,” Former LAPD Deputy Chief Bill Rathburn told The Post.

His comments came after the feds warned about Iranian “prepositioned sleeper assets” in the US while the war with Iran raged. The fighting is down to a simmer after the US launched strikes on Iranian targets Thursday following attacks on three US ships in a response President Trump called a “love tap.”

Chris Swecker, who ran security for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, held in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks, also pointed to Middle East turmoil as a concerning threat factor.

“There’s an animation around the sport to begin with,” said Swecker, who served as assistant director of the FBI. “You’ve got the presence of foes coming to the World Cup from different parts of the world. It’s not like it can escape the radar of terrorist organizations. It’s right there front and center.”

He cited the threat from “card-carrying terrorist cells, as well as the influence those that have been radicalized on the Internet.”

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Outdoors; Society; Sports; Travel
KEYWORDS: cells; fifa; geoffearle; hamas; hantavirus; hezbollah; iran; irgc; newyorkpost; plotting; shanegalvin; soccer; waronterror; worldcup; yemen

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They could make a movie outta this.
1 posted on 05/09/2026 6:22:24 AM PDT by Libloather
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To: Libloather
They could make a movie outta this.

But it's soccer. Who would even go see it?

"OMG! They've taken Team Portugal hostage!"


2 posted on 05/09/2026 6:29:19 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
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To: Libloather

The World Cup is a very big target - especially given the US is a host nation.


3 posted on 05/09/2026 6:30:01 AM PDT by neverevergiveup
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To: Libloather

When are they not planning?


4 posted on 05/09/2026 6:31:44 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to says it.)
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To: Libloather

All over the world, every continent, everyday, everywhere, century after century, yet people and governments insist on pretending it is a religion.


5 posted on 05/09/2026 6:37:21 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: Puppage

Oy vey.

Iran has been plotting against America, been 2 weeks way from having a nuke, has been killing millions of Americans, and so on every time a neocon wants to drum up some business for the past 47 years.

A lot of the fans coming to the World Cup are vacationing foreigners. I thought we didn’t care about them.


6 posted on 05/09/2026 6:52:28 AM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s)
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To: Libloather

Every...single...time


7 posted on 05/09/2026 6:54:56 AM PDT by AppyPappy (They don't call you a Nazi because they think you are one. They do it to justify violence. )
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To: ansel12

Most terror attacks on civilians are carried out by sunnis. Most of 9-11 terrorists were saudi and sunni. Shiite tend to attack military or political targets; us embassy, marine barracks, cia personnel.


8 posted on 05/09/2026 6:57:41 AM PDT by ozarker
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To: Libloather

A World Cup attendee is probably far more likely to die of a stupid and random act of violence in one of our cities here in the Greatest Country in the World than any kind of planned terror attack.


9 posted on 05/09/2026 6:59:32 AM PDT by Captain Walker ("It is infinitely better to have a few good Men, than many indifferent ones." - George Washington)
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To: Libloather

Why would they attack a Mexican city?


10 posted on 05/09/2026 7:17:43 AM PDT by dljordan (Yeah, I'm a Boomer and it's all my fault you whiny little bitch.)
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To: Libloather

There are plenty of not so sleeper cells who protest on the streets regularly. Go after them


11 posted on 05/09/2026 7:18:52 AM PDT by nuconvert ( Warning: Accused of being a radical militarist. Approach with caution.)
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To: Sirius Lee

Remember those drones That were stolen recently?

Imagine those flying around a soccer stadium dispensing some sort of contagion.

I’m no the sky is falling wimp but you’d have to admit, it is feasible.


12 posted on 05/09/2026 7:21:41 AM PDT by V_TWIN (America....so great even the people that hate it, won't leave)
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To: Libloather

All of the celebrations, parades et cetera all over the country this summer for the 250th celebration, are going to be targets, not just the World Cup.


13 posted on 05/09/2026 7:28:30 AM PDT by nuconvert ( Warning: Accused of being a radical militarist. Approach with caution.)
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To: Libloather

What was Rathburn’s involvement with the FIB in framing Richard Jewell in 1996?


14 posted on 05/09/2026 7:30:06 AM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
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To: Libloather

If they’re still sleeping at this point, they are probably dead.


15 posted on 05/09/2026 7:32:53 AM PDT by PGR88
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To: PGR88

If they’re still sleeping at this point, they are probably dead.
....

So, Valerie Jarrett is dead?


16 posted on 05/09/2026 7:48:52 AM PDT by delchiante
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To: neverevergiveup

Exactly.


17 posted on 05/09/2026 7:50:13 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: Puppage

They’re always planning something.


18 posted on 05/09/2026 7:50:32 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: ansel12

When in fact, islime is a death cult founded by a pedophile.


19 posted on 05/09/2026 7:51:04 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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To: Deaf Smith

Good question.


20 posted on 05/09/2026 7:52:00 AM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
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