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More than 1,000 troops to help maintain security in Paris at Euro 2016

France will invite 1,200 military to reinforce police to maintain law and order in Paris during the European Football Cup finals, the city’s police chief says

PARIS, June 6. /TASS/. More than one thousand French troops will be commissioned to maintain security in Paris during the European Football Cup finals, the city’s police chief Michele Cadot has said.

"We will invite 1,200 military to reinforce police to maintain law and order," Cadot is quoted by the French channel BFM as saying.

In November 2015 Paris saw a series of terrorist attacks. First, bombs were exploded near the Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, where France was playing against Germany. Also, terrorist attacks took place in Charonne Boulevard, Voltaire Boulevard and Fountaine au Roi and Alibert streets and the concert hall Bataclan. The terrorist attacks left 130 killed and another 350 injured.

The French government at the end of April prolonged the state of emergency, originally effective till May 26, to the end of the European Cup finals. All law enforcement personnel will maintain tight security, as the risk of terrorist attacks remains high.

Volunteers for the matches 

Over 6,500 volunteers were selected to provide assistance services to guests and participants of the 2016 UEFA Euro Cup, which kicks off this weekend in France, according to UEFA’s specially issued media guide of the tournament.

The number of volunteers at the current Europe’s biggest football tournament exceeds the number at the previous Euro Cup in 2012 by approximately 1,000 and 60% of them are females.

Forty three percent of this tournament’s volunteers are under the age of 25. In all, the volunteers are coming from 96 countries and 52% have experience working at similar tournaments.

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.