Thursday 9 June 2016 17:11, UK
Bar and restaurant owners in France will not be allowed to set up TV screens outside their businesses during Euro 2016.
The move is aimed at improving security during the month-long tournament, with French authorities expecting fewer people to gather outside official fan zones if outdoor screens are banned.
France has been under a state of emergency since last November's terrorist attacks in Paris during which 130 people were killed across the city, including at a rock concert, on the terraces of bars and restaurants and outside the Stade de France, the stadium where the tournament will begin on Friday.
Fan zones are typically in squares or parks near city centres, allowing supporters to watch a game on a big screen. Extra security measures, including reinforced video surveillance, have been added to secure the fan zones.
Junior minister for sports Thierry Braillard said the official fan zones are the only outdoor public spaces where screens will be installed.
"We can't accept unorganised gatherings because police forces don't have the means to secure them," he said. "And a live screening on a terrace means gathering around a screen."
Bernard Marty, the head of France's biggest hotel industry union (UMIH) in the area of Marseille - where England play Russia on Saturday - said he had received contradictory information from police.
"The government should coordinate better with its officials so we could figure out better what is going on," Marty said.
"Maybe they want to boost Marseille's economy in the fan zone only, at the expense of all other retail traders who made investments."
Asked if the move would spoil the popular party, Braillard said everything will be put in place to ensure fan zones will be "lively places".
"It's better to have just one very secured area than letting thousands of people without match tickets gather in disorganised fashion," Braillard said.
Meanwhile, Sir Julian King, the British Ambassador to France, has told fans not to be worried about coming to the country, although they should remain conscious of the security situation.
Sir Julian, who will attend the opening games of England, Northern Ireland and Wales, said: "It's going to be a great football tournament. We've got three teams and are expecting over half a million fans from the UK. It will be a great adventure.
"Don't believe everything you read about France. It's not as bad as you think. There are some problems but just take sensible precautions - arrive early for games and fan zones, carry your passport with you , be prepared for security checks.
"Don't be worried about coming to France but be conscious of security situation. There are people out there who don't like our way of life and want to disrupt tournament.
"The French are very experienced at dealing with security. We are confident that the French have tight security measures in place. There's been co-operation at the highest levels."
