Euro 2016 to hold in France despite terror attacks

The 2016 European football championship will still hold in France despite Friday’s terror attacks that claimed 129 lives, UEFA has confirmed.

“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 Monday, ending clamour for venue change.

“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,” the statement read.

“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.”

Organising committee president Jacques Lambert has said on Monday said the risk level around the Euro 2016 finals had “gone up”, but the continent’s football governing body insisted that there would be no moving the championship.

“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 said.

“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.”