Euro 2016 team coaches confident in France's security measures

 

Coaches headed to France for Euro 2016 said Thursday
they were confident the country was doing everything to secure the
tournament as they prepare for the games.
"Of course (security) is an issue, after what happened in November
you can't just ignore it," said Germany coach Joachim Loew during a
Euro 2016 workshop in Paris. "But I believe France is doing
everything to guarantee security here."
Loew's team was playing France in a friendly match in the Stade de
France stadium outside Paris on November 13 when suicide bombers
tried to enter the venue. They failed in this bid but they and others
killed more than 120 people outside the stadium, in a concert hall
and at street cafes in one of the most deadly terrorist attacks
France has seen.
The attacks raised tensions just months before France was to host the
tournament, to which a million foreign visitors are expected.
"It's possible of course to be afraid," said England boss Roy
Hodgson, speaking in French, at the workshop. "But the French people
have shown us the way, because they are absolutely determined to
conduct life in the same manner as before.
"I am sure that in France the government, UEFA - everyone who is
responsible for the security; they are going to do absolutely
everything that is possible," he added.
On Wednesday, tournament organizers said they had boosted the
security budget by 15 per cent. For each of the 51 games, spread over
10 venues from June 10-July 10, an average of 900 security agents
would be present.
Organizing president Jacques Lambert said there were no concrete
considerations of a decision from Europe's ruling body UEFA that
games could be held behind closed doors in case of a terrorist
threat.
"Euro or World Cup games in empty stadiums, nobody wants to see that.
So I hope the Euro goes forward as we all imagine it will," said
Loew.
Vicente del Bosque, coach of reigning champions Spain, agreed. "(I
hope) that the security presence is imperceptible, that it's hardly
noted, but that it's real and if there are any problems they are
resolved.
"I hope the European Championship is a sport party, and nothing
else."

2:21:00 PM