Euro 2016 To Go Ahead Says Uefa

17 Nov 2015 | tshego

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UEFA has confirmed that next year’s European Championships in France will go ahead as planned, despite the devastating terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday.

Football’s European governing body has reiterated that security planning is at the heart of preparations for the tournament, led by Euro 2016 SAS, a joint venture between the European governing body and the French Football Federation.

However, Tuesday’s scheduled friendly between Belgium and Spain has been called off after the Belgian government raised the security threat level.

The Stade de France was one of the targets of Friday’s attack, which left 129 people dead and nearly 100 more critically injured. The venue was hosting France v Germany when suicide bombers attempted to enter the stadium.

The French national team will return to the pitch on Tuesday to face England at Wembley Stadium (pictured above), where home fans are being encouraged to join their French counterparts in singing La Marseillaise in a show of solidarity over Friday’s terror attacks.

UEFA said in a statement: “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. 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.

“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 Euro final draw will go ahead as scheduled on 12th December at the Palais des Congres in Paris and the final tournament will be played in France from 10th June to 10th July 2016.”