Wednesday 1 June 2016 00:37, UK
The US State Department has warned that the upcoming European Championship in France could be a "soft target" for terror groups.
There have been a number of terror attacks in France in recent years, most notably when 130 people were killed in a series of attacks across Paris last November.
The national football stadium, the Stade de France, was targeted by suicide bombers during those attacks and the US State Department has warned that similar incidents could occur later this summer.
"The influx of visitors to France during the summer months, especially during the Euro Cup, will create an especially target-rich environment for threat actors wishing to attack soft target locations with maximum impact," read a report compiled by America's Overseas Security Advisory Council.
"While Euro Cup fan zones will possibly be more vulnerable, the level of security that will be enacted around these areas will to some degree mitigate the vulnerability against these sites.
"Consequently, terrorist plots aimed at disrupting the Euro Cup may be directed against soft-target locations outside of the Euro Cup venues and fan zones.
"Locations such as entertainment venues, which are likely to be filled with fans watching games; restaurants; and other public gathering points could be seen as more accessible targets."
The report also highlighted the possibility of hooliganism at this summer's tournament, and singled out England's opening Group B match against Russia on June 11 as a possible flashpoint between fans.
"While violent crime is generally low in France, the combination of alcohol and competing fans during high-stakes matches could lead to tensions that could spill over into confrontation and violence," said the report.
"Fan unrest may be more likely during matches that feature teams with a history of tensions.
"Euro 2016's first round features one such match, with England playing Russia on June 11 in Marseille; there is a history of violence associated with recent matches between these two sides.
"England fans also rioted after a World Cup 1998 match against Tunisia, also played in Marseille.
"As a remedy, some countries temporarily revoke passports for fans with a history of hooliganism abroad, as England did for some 3,000 fans during the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and nearly 1,500 during the 2014 World Cup.
"The number for Euro 2016 is reportedly only in the low hundreds at this time."
