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French authorities ban entry for nearly 3,000 foreign nationals before Euro 2016

"Not only terrorists, but also football hooligans pose a threat for the holding of Euro 2016," French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said

PARIS, June 7. /TASS/. The French authorities banned entry to the country to nearly 3,000 foreign nationals shortly before the 2016 UEFA Euro Cup kicking off June 10 in Paris, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said Tuesday.

"Not only terrorists, but also football hooligans pose a threat for the holding of Euro 2016," Cazeneuve said. "In this connection, a list of persons banned from entry to France for the time of the championship has been compiled."

Some 180 law enforcement officers from other countries, including Russia, will assist French policemen in identification of aggressive groups of fans.

The 2016 UEFA Euro Cup will be held in France between June 10 and July 10 with matches to be played in 10 different locations, namely in Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse.

A total of 24 European national teams qualified for the Euro Cup final tournament in 2016, after the contestants’ format, which was used since 1996, was decided to be extended from 16 to 24 teams.

The contesting teams were divided into six groups and Russia was placed into Group B, sharing it with the teams from England, Wales and Slovakia. The Russian football team will play three matches in the Euro-2016 group stage: against the team of England in Marseille June 11; Slovakia in Lille on June 15; and Wales in Toulouse on June 20.