UEFA maintains confidence in Euro 2016 organization committee in France
The UEFA maintains its confidence in the organizing committee of Euro 2016 in France to take "all necessary measures" in terms of security, according to a statement published this Monday after the attacks in Paris last Friday.
"The draw for the group stage will take place as planned on December 12 at the Palais des Congrès in Paris and the final phase will be played in France from June 10 to July 10," UEFA responded in a statement when asked by AFP if the European football instance was concerned about the tournament after the attacks.
"For the past three years, the organizing committee of Euro 2016 has been working closely with the authorities involved to implement the most appropriate mechanisms in order to guarantee the total security of the tournament and we trust that all necessary measures will be taken," UEFA concluded.
However, former French international Just Fontaine estimated on Monday that if security concerns prevented the Eurocup from being played at the Stade de France, hit by the attacks on Friday, it would have to be "given" to another country.
France should no longer host Euro 2016, says Just Fontaine https://t.co/Gyr6qgavU1 (Photo: Getty) pic.twitter.com/5a6SqyksJn
"Maintaining security will be even more difficult for France. I hope it's the last (attack), but I don't know what (the jihadists) have in mind. They don't want France," added the man who holds the record for goals scored in a single World Cup (13 in 1958), when asked about his fear of new attacks, especially against football stadiums.
Fontaine was present on Friday live at the France-Germany match at the Stade de France, where three suicide bombers blew themselves up outside.
"We heard the noise of the bombs (from the stands) and when we left the stadium, it was madness, all those people sprinting to get back inside the stadium," he recalls.
Finally, the captain of the French team, Hugo Lloris, thanked the messages of support "from all over the world" and assured that they will play "for France and for the victims of the attack" in Paris last Friday.
"Tomorrow's game will be a great moment of solidarity. There will be a lot of contained emotion among all the players," highlighted Lloris, who defends the goal of the English club Tottenham Hotspur, which plays in the Premier League.
Euro 2016 will take place in France from June 10 to July 10. The Stade de France will host seven matches, including the final.
Source: AFP / EFE