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Löw: Security will be an issue at Euro 2016

Matt PearsonMarch 3, 2016

Joachim Löw has admitted that he is concerned about security ahead of Euro 2016 in France. However, he also said he believes that the French authorities will do everything possible to prevent a terrorist attack.

https://p.dw.com/p/1I6TZ
Deutschland PK Joachim Löw zu Freundschaftsspiel Niederlande
Germany Coach Joachim Loew admits he has security concerns ahead of Euro 2016Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/M. Rose

The German national team boss was on the touchline for a friendly match with France in the Stade de France stadium outside of Paris on November 13 when suicide bombers tried to enter the venue. They failed in their attempt but they and others killed some 130 people across Paris in one of the most deadly terrorist attacks France has seen. Hundreds of others were injured.

“Of course (security) is an issue, after what happened in November you can't just ignore it," Löw said during a during a Euro 2016 workshop in Paris on Thursday. "But I believe France is doing everything it can to guarantee security here."

A million football fans are expected to visit France for the tournament, which starts on June 10 and England manager Roy Hodgson, also present at the workshop, echoed Löw’s sentiments.

“It's possible of course to be afraid," Hodgson said in French. "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.

Tournament organizers announced on Wednesday that the event’s security budget had increased by 15 per cent and that an average of 900 security agents would be present at each of the 51 games, which are to be played at 10 different venues.

The president of the organizing committee, Jacques Lambert, said that so far, there was no thought of playing games behind closed doors.

"Euro or World Cup games in empty stadiums, nobody wants to see that,” he said. "So I hope the Euro goes forward as we all imagine it will."

Lambert's statement, though, comes a couple of days after Martin Kallen, UEFA's tournament director for Euro 2016 told Germany's "Sport Bild" weekly that in the event of terror threats or attacks, single games could be called off and staged the next day behind closed doors.

France play Romania in the tournament opener in the Stade de France on June 10. The final is at the same venue on July 10.