French PM Manuel Valls said that the French government "plans to extend a state of emergency imposed after the Paris attacks in November to cover the Euro 2016 football tournament." He said that given the scale of the event, "security has to be ensured." The proposed two-month extension will "require parliamentary approval." The current state of emergency, which gives police "extra powers to conduct searches and put people under house arrest," runs until May 26. Valls said that Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve will seek other ministers' approval of the extension later on Wednesday, "before asking parliament to vote on it" (BBC, 4/20).
FOOTBALL BRIEFS ...
Italian Football Federation (FIGC) President Carlo Tavecchio warned "only five clubs could register for Serie A" if financial limits were "imposed properly." Every summer "at least one club is declared bankrupt and the most recent serious casualty was Parma," which just gained promotion back into Lega Pro last week. Tavecchio: "Just think that if we applied the rules strictly, only five clubs could register for Serie A. Everyone already knows my idea on this, which is reducing Serie A to 18 teams, 20 in Serie B and Lega Pro as two groups of 20 clubs" (FOOTBALL ITALIA, 4/19).
League Championship side Leeds United Dir Edoardo Cellino has been "suspended from all football-related activity for the club's next three matches" following comments he made on social media. The son of club Owner Massimo Cellino became involved in an "abusive row with a supporter on Facebook." The FA said that his charge included an "aggravated breach" as his comments included a reference to disability (PA, 4/20).
MLS side New York City FC's City Select teams, comprised of some of the most promising players from the club's 11 youth affiliates, will head to Manchester to train, compete and to watch Man City in action at Etihad Stadium (NYCFC).
