Soccer

Euro 2016 will go ahead despite Paris attacks say organisers

Toulouse players take part in a minutes silence in honour of the Paris Attacks before the European Champions Cup, pool one match at Allianz Park, London. 
Toulouse players take part in a minutes silence in honour of the Paris Attacks before the European Champions Cup, pool one match at Allianz Park, London.  Toulouse players take part in a minutes silence in honour of the Paris Attacks before the European Champions Cup, pool one match at Allianz Park, London. 

TALK of cancelling Euro 2016 would be “playing into the hands of terrorists”, according to the head of the tournament’s organising committee.

Jacques Lambert promised France would take the “necessary decisions” to ensure next summer’s event took place in safety in the wake of Friday’s attacks in Paris in which 129 people were killed and hundreds more injured.

The incidents – following on from the killing of 12 people by gunmen in January – has naturally raised concerns about the country’s hosting of next year’s European Championships, but backing down now is not an option for the hosts.

“To ask questions about the cancellation of Euro 2016 is to play into the hands of the terrorists,” said Lambert.

“The risk level was up a notch in January, and it just got up a notch.

“We will take the necessary decisions for Euro 2016 to take place in the best safety conditions.

“I will not reveal what we are going to do because that would alert our opponents.

“The security in stadiums works well, the risk is more out in the streets, in spontaneous gatherings.”

French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet echoed those sentiments, insisting safety must be a priority.

“We will do whatever it takes to ensure security despite all the risks that entails. I know everyone is vigilant,” he said.

“Obviously this causes us to be even more vigilant but it is a permanent situation for the federation and the state.”

Meanwhile, the French national team, with all 23 members of the France squad – including Lassana Diarra and Antoine Griezmann – flew to England for tomorrow’s friendly at Wembley.

Diarra’s cousin Asta Diakite was one of the 129 who died, while Griezmann’s sister managed to escape the mass killing at the Bataclan theatre.

France coach Didier Deschamps gave players the chance to withdraw, but none did after the FFF declined the Football Association’s offer to cancel the match.

The Wembley Arch will be lit up in the red, white and blue colours of the French flag to show solidarity with the visiting nation.

Screens will show the French motto ‘Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite’ outside the ground and before kick-off the words of La Marseillaise - the French national anthem - will be shown to help any England fans who want to join in.

The FA has urged fans to get to Wembley early as there will be increased security checks in light of the attacks.

All around the world this weekend sport has paid its respects and offered support, with the French tricolour prominent at many events.

On the grid before the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix the drivers stood for a minute’s silence which was already scheduled to remember those who had been killed in road traffic accidents over the year, but was subsequently also used as a moment to remember the Paris victims, with driver Sebastien Grosjean holding his national flag.

World rally champion Sebastien Ogier refused to celebrate his victory in the Wales Rally GB, placing a tricolour over his Volkswagen Polo’s windscreen at the end and holding it on the podium at a muted presentation ceremony.

The German Football Federation (DFB) confirmed tomorrow’s friendly fixture Holland will proceed as scheduled.

Germany were forced to sleep at the Stade de France after Friday’s 2-0 friendly defeat by France, but in a show of support insist the horrific incidents will not affect their plans.

Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said: “We wanted to set a stance of togetherness as a team. With the French population, with all those connected to the victims. The whole team, players, coaches and backroom staff - it’s still affecting them a lot.”