The US on Tuesday warned its citizens that this year’s UEFA Euro 2016 soccer tournament and related events across France and Europe would present “potential targets for terrorists.”
The month-long tournament starts in Paris on Saturday next week, drawing the best international teams from the continent and hundreds of thousands of fans.
“Euro Cup stadiums, fan zones, and unaffiliated entertainment venues broadcasting the tournaments in France and across Europe represent potential targets for terrorists,” the US Department of State said.
The warning was contained in an update to its long-standing warning to US travelers to beware extremist attacks on transport and public gatherings in Europe.
“We are alerting US citizens to the risk of potential terrorist attacks throughout Europe, targeting major events, tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centers and transportation,” it said. “The large number of tourists visiting Europe in the summer months will present greater targets for terrorists planning attacks in public locations, especially at large events.”
The French government has ruled out canceling the prestigious tournament, which is expected to draw 2 million fans to cities across the country.
To strengthen security at the Euro 2016 tournament, France has extended a state of emergency put in place after attacks in November last year on a concert hall, cafes, police and a soccer crowd.
Last month, French domestic intelligence chief Patrick Calvar told lawmakers that France is “clearly targeted” by the Islamic State group.
France feared a “new form of attack” in which terrorists would place bombs in areas where big crowds gather, he said.
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