Euro 2016 president Jacques Lambert says security is top priority
Saturday 12 December 2015 12:52, UK
Sky Sports News HQ's chief news reporter Kaveh Solhekol reports from Paris, focusing on the security issues ahead of the Euro 2016 draw.
The man responsible for organising Euro 2016 says security is his top priority.
Next summer's tournament is the biggest European Championships to date and Jacques Lambert is in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly.
Lambert, the Euro 2016 president, said: "Security will be a co-production between the French authorities and the organisers of the tournament. We will take a methodical approach. Our coordination with the state security services will intensify as the tournament approaches."
According to Lambert, the French authorities will concentrate on securing France's borders, airports, roads and railway stations. The organisers will be in charge of coordinating the security operation inside and outside stadiums.
"We haven't finalised any measures yet, but safety is our top priority," he said.
France will play against Russia in a friendly at the Stade de France in March. It will be the first time they have played there since three suicide bombers tried to enter the stadium during a friendly against Germany last month.
There will be airport-style security at the stadium for the Russia friendly and at all games when the tournament kicks off in six months time.
The organisers and the French authorities are not underestimating the size of the task. This is the first time there will be 24 teams playing at a European Championships. There will be 51 matches - 20 more than there were at Euro 2012 when the tournament kicked off with 16 teams.
France is expecting 2.5m fans to attend games and another seven million at fan zones.
