The Union of European football (UEFA) yesterday announced
that EURO 2016 will still be hosted by France come June next year despite the
terror attacks that occurred in the Country last weekend.
"The EURO final draw will go ahead as scheduled on 12
December at the Palais des Congres in Paris
and the final tournament will be played in France
from 10 June to 10 July 2016 ,"
UEFA said in a statement on Tuesday (AEDT).
"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." On Sunday (AEDT), organising committee president Jacques Lambert
said the risk level around the Euro 2016 finals had "gone up".
"EURO 2016 SAS and 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," UEFA added. "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 Stade de France was targeted by suicide bombers as France
played Germany ,
while France
midfielder Lassana Diarra lost a female cousin in the attacks and forward
Antoine Griezmann's sister escaped unhurt from the assault on the Bataclan theatre.
Co-ordinated attacks, for which Islamic State has claimed
responsibility, took place in Paris
bars, restaurants, a concert hall and outside a soccer stadium on Friday
killing at least 129 people and wounding 352 - the worst atrocity in France
since World War II.
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