With France in a state of emergency due to the threat of a militant attack, as well as "growing demonstrations" against the government, "you would forgive the head of security for Euro 2016 for showing a few nerves just weeks before the tournament kicks off in Paris," according to John Irish of REUTERS. Euro 2016 Security Head Ziad Khoury said, "We're not stressed. We're confident, calm and cool. The objective is to organize things well." Euro 2016 "starts on June 10 and runs for a month at 10 stadiums across France." About 2.5 million spectators are expected for 51 football matches involving 24 teams. There will also be "fan zones" for crowds watching games on big screens in major cities.
Khoury: "This will be the biggest security effort for the public or private sector ever in France." It all "takes place under a state of emergency that gives extra powers to police and security forces in the aftermath of the November attacks by Islamist militants that killed 130 people in Paris." Violent clashes "have also broken out on almost a weekly basis since March over government labor reform plans to make hiring and firing easier, stretching police forces to their limits." Khoury: "Protests happen regularly in our country, but in general when a sporting event starts, it takes over the news. It's very rare that in parallel there's a lot of social demands because fewer people listen" (REUTERS, 5/16).
