No 'Specific Threat' To British Fans At Euros

Football supporters in France will face a weapons and explosives search at one cordon, and then a second search at the turnstiles.

Security staff pictured at a fanzone in Nice, southeastern France

By Paul Kelso, Sports Correspondent

Euro 2016 organisers say they have received no specific terrorist threat against matches involving England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It comes as they moved to ease fears that supporters at venues and fanzones will be targets.
Jacques Lambert, president of the Euro 2016 organising committee, told a press conference at the Stade de France that he wanted to lift the tournament out of a "negative spiral" surrounding security.
And he said every precaution had been taken to protect supporters in unison with the French government.

Nice mayor Christian Estrosi (C) tests a security checkpoint in a fanzone

On Tuesday, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued travel advice for the estimated 500,000 British supporters heading to France, warning that all stadiums, fanzones and transport links were potential terrorist targets.
Mr Lambert said the warning was "precautionary" and sought to allay fears.

Video: Security Warning Ahead Of Euro 2016

He said: "We have no knowledge of any specific threat against a stadium at Euro 2016, but I believe the message that have come out (from the FCO and other European governments) are typically precautionary ones.
"But we have reviewed the information that has come to us."
Mr Lambert said security concerns had dominated preparations since 13 November when 130 people were killed in a series of attacks across Paris and set out the steps the authorities will take to protect stadiums and fanzones in the 10 host cities.
Supporters will face a double security cordon, with searches for weapons and explosives at the first cordon, and a second search and ticket check at the turnstiles.
Mr Lambert encouraged fans to come as early as possible to both stadiums and fanzones, which will open three hours before kick-off in matches.
Around 10,000 security personnel will be employed, in addition to 90,000 police and troops deployed by the government.
"No one is unaware of what has gone on in France and across Europe in terms of security," Mr Lambert said.

Video: Man Held Over Euro 2016 Terror Plot

"We have had to deal with this, it was imposed upon us … but our goal was to bring together the best possible European Championships including with respect of security.
"We had to revise our plans, stiffen our security measures to have the most professional and complete measures possible.
"We have tried to move out of this negative spiral in which we have found ourselves and over which we do not have much control."
UEFA also revealed its banned former president Michel Platini, who led France to victory in Euro '84, would be allowed to attend games at the tournament.
This was despite his four-year FIFA ban for accepting a £1.3m payment from Sepp Blatter.
FIFA's ethics committee has ruled he can attend in a "private capacity" as long as he has no official function.

And the UEFA executive committee will decide whether to offer him an invitation this week.

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