Euro 2016 to proceed as planned in wake of terror attacks, insists UEFA
Monday 16 November 2015 16:53, UK
UEFA says there are no plans to alter any of the dates or venues for next year's European Championships in France.
The statement by European's football governing body confirmed the tournament would proceed as normal and that stringent security measures had already been put in place.
There had been concerns over security in France following Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris, in which 129 people were killed and two suicide bombers attempted to enter the national stadium to detonate bombs during the friendly match between France and Germany.
France's 1958 World Cup star Just Fontaine was one prominent figure to call on the country to give up hosting rights, claiming: "It is simply too dangerous."
But UEFA has reiterated that adequate security measures would be established for the event next summer.
In a statement, it said: "Following the dramatic events that occurred last Friday in Paris, UEFA and EURO 2016 SAS wish to reaffirm their commitment in placing safety and security at the centre of their organisational plans.
"While there is no reason to believe that the EURO might become the target of any attack, the potential terrorist threat has always been taken into account, since the beginning of the project.
"All stakeholders involved in the organisation of the tournament will continue their joint work and will regularly monitor the level of risk for the tournament and their respective organisational plans.
"For over three years now, EURO 2016 SAS has been working closely with the relevant authorities to develop the most appropriate mechanisms in order to guarantee there is a safe and secure tournament and we are confident that the necessary measures will be taken to ensure that is the case for all involved."
The draw for the European Championships will go ahead on December 12 at the Palais des Congres in Paris, with next year's tournament to be played in France from June 10 to July 10.
