UEFA announced that the Euro 2016 "will remain in France," according to Sam Long of the London EVENING STANDARD. The country's hosting of the tournament has "come under scrutiny" since Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris. A UEFA statement read, "For over three years now, (tournament organizing committee) Euro 2016 SAS has been working closely with the relevant authorities to develop the most appropriate mechanisms in order to guarantee there is a safe and secure tournament and we are confident that the necessary measures will be taken to ensure that is the case for all involved. The Euro final draw will go ahead as scheduled on Dec. 12 at the Palais des Congres in Paris and the final tournament will be played in France from June 10 to July 10. Following the dramatic events that occurred last Friday in Paris, UEFA and Euro 2016 SAS wish to reaffirm their commitment in placing safety and security at the center of their organizational plans. While there is no reason to believe that the Euro might become the target of any attack, the potential terrorist threat has always been taken into account since the beginning of the project" (EVENING STANDARD, 11/16). The PA reported French 1958 World Cup striker Just Fountaine said that France "should relinquish hosting rights to Euro 2016" in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. Fountaine was present at the Stade de France on Friday night when "three suicide bombers detonated vests outside" the stadium. He believes his country "should cede the hosting of Euro 2016 to someone else." Fountaine: "I think any other country could stage the event, but we cannot. France should forego the tournament. I am very afraid that this black Friday could be repeated. I think we cannot guarantee the safety that is required to host such a big event. It is simply too dangerous" (PA, 11/16). FOOTBALL ITALIA reported Italian FA (FIGC) President Carlo Tavecchio "insists France should still host the European Championships." Tavecchio said, "The Euros should be played in France. It would be a big mistake to change the host. We mustn't stop, it's a serious attack, but we have to stay calm and do what we'd planned. We'll all go to France, we won't stop" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 11/16).
GHENT SECURITY: In London, Barry Flatman wrote this time next week, the Great Britain tennis team "will be gathering in Ghent for the Davis Cup final." Security is "now certain to be a significant issue" as the hunt for those who conspired to launch Friday's attacks on Paris has "spread across the border to Belgium." There is "no suggestion at present" that the Davis Cup final could be canceled, but the Int'l Tennis Federation has "been busy all weekend" working on security matters. ITF President David Haggerty said, "Following the tragic events over the last few weeks, all sporting events require heightened levels of security and this includes both the Fed Cup and Davis Cup finals" (LONDON TIMES, 11/16).
RUGBY CONGESTION: In London, Hugh Godwin reported the organizers of the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions, European Professional Club Rugby, "hope to announce" new dates in the next few days for the five matches in France postponed over the weekend. All concerned are "likely to want to avoid playing in a midweek slot" that creates problems with players’ recovery times as well as for supporters and broadcasters. But with every weekend "filled in the fixture schedule" from now until the European knockout stage in April, it would need the 10 clubs affected to "rearrange a domestic league match." The European pool games are "due to be completed" in January (INDEPENDENT, 11/15).
