Security fears over Euro 2016 that kicks off next Friday have been "heightened after a Frenchman was arrested in Ukraine with a massive arsenal of weapons he was reportedly planning to use in attacks in France." The man, named by media as Grégoire M, "had three rocket-launchers, about 100 detonators, more than 100 kilos of TNT explosives, and half a dozen Kalashnikov assault rifles in his vehicle when he was detained after trying to cross the border into Poland." The 25-year-old, who had links to far-Right groups, "told police he was planning to use the weapons in possible attacks on synagogues or mosques" (London TELEGRAPH, 6/5).
Benin has been "granted a partial reprieve from the prospect of having to forfeit a key African Nations Cup qualifier" after its suspension was conditionally lifted by FIFA. The small west African country was banned by world football’s governing body last month "after a local court stopped its football federation elections." FIFA has suspended "several countries previously for outside interference in footballing affairs" (REUTERS, 6/4).
