France restricts public screenings of World Cup 2018 amid security fears

France restricts public screenings of World Cup 2018 amid security fears
By Chris Harris
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button

France has banned the showing of this summer’s football World Cup in public spaces — unless there is adequate security.

ADVERTISEMENT

France has banned the showing of this summer’s football World Cup in public spaces — unless there is adequate security.

Its interior ministry said the terrorism threat means transmissions will only be allowed if they have taken the necessary precautions.

That includes showing the matches in a secured public area and being able to organise the deployment of police.

"I call the attention of elected representatives to the fact that fan zones with large screens cannot be organised in open public space,” said Gerard Collomb, France’s interior minister.

"In the context of the current terrorist threat, the requirements that prevailed during the European football championships [in 2016] will again have to be applied.”

The World Cup 2018 takes place in Russia from June 14 to July 15.

France has seen a wave of gun and knife attacks in recent years, which have left 246 people dead since 2015.

Share this articleComments

You might also like

World Cup football players faces are painted on to Russian dolls

'Disturbing': Rough sleepers and migrants removed from Paris ahead of Olympics

Increasing timber theft in France causing ecological disaster