The Euro 2016 fan zone at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in Pars “could be closed during the days matches are played at the Parc des Princes and Stade de France, following a request by the Paris Police prefect,” according to L’ÉQUIPE. Paris Prefect of Police Michel Cadot wrote a letter to French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve to “ask the mayor of Paris” to close the capital’s fan zone during certain matches on the grounds of “exhaustion” of overstretched police. He also cited the “threats, namely terrorists, facing the competition” set to run from June 10 through July 10 (L’ÉQUIPE, 6/2). 20 MINUTES reported Cadot wrote, “Antagonistic fans of two teams would be difficult to separate from one another while the consumption of alcohol is allowed through one of the sponsors of the Euro” (20 MINUTES, 6/2). The BBC reported every match will be screened at the fan zone, but Cadot is “aiming for it to be shut during all 12 matches that take place in Paris’ two stadiums.” Cazeneuve is “yet to publicly respond” to Cadot’s proposal (BBC, 6/2).
IN MARSEILLE: The AFP reported authorities in Marseille on Thursday presented a security plan described as “exceptional” for the organization of Euro 2016 in the city where an 80,000 capacity fan zone (the second largest behind Paris) “will be divided in two parts to separate supporters of different teams.” Regional Prefect Stéphane Bouillon said, “We have all the means to ensure that this party will be successful.” Regional Police Prefect Laurent Nuñez said that on match nights, “around 1,000 police officers will be mobilized around the stadium and fan zone.” In addition, “1,200 private security agents at the stadium itself and 650 surrounding the fan zone” (AFP, 6/2).
