Search icon

Football

15th Nov 2015

Terrorists won’t put Euro 2016 in jeopardy, claim French organisers

Defiant

Gareth Makim

Defiance has been a common response from France since Friday’s tragic events, and Euro 2016 boss Jacques Lambert insists the show must go on despite the threat posed by terrorists.

The horrific attacks, which included bombings in the area of the Stade de France, site of the Euro 2016 final, killed 129 people and injured 350 more, mark the second time this year that Paris has been the victim of terrorism, following the attack at magazine Charlie Hebdo in January.

Speaking to French in the wake of the tragedy, Lambert said the finals were not in jeopardy.

“Wondering whether Euro 2016 must be cancelled is playing the game of the terrorists,’ he told radio station RTL. “The risk went up one level in January, it has just gone higher.

“We will take the necessary decisions for Euro 2016 to take place in the best safety conditions. Security in stadiums works well, the risk is more in the streets, in spontaneous gatherings.”

Sporting events across France this weekend have been cancelled, including Ulster’s Champions Cup rugby match against Oyonnax yesterday.

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10

Topics:

Euro 2016