Story highlights
UEFA V.P. suggests terror threats could cause Euro 2016 matches to be played with no supporters present
UEFA releases statement reaffirming commitment to fans' safety
Venue for the Euro 2016 final, the Stade de France, was a target in November's terror attacks in Paris
A senior European football official has warned that an ongoing terror threat could disrupt the upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 tournament in France – even forcing matches to be played behind closed doors.
Speaking after Tuesday’s deadly attacks in Brussels, UEFA Vice-President Giancarlo Abete told an Italian radio station that football authorities “can’t exclude the possibility of playing behind closed doors as we cannot exclude terrorism.”
The attacks came with the memory of November’s terrorist atrocities in Paris still fresh in many people’s minds. Those attacks resulted in a death and several injuries outside the Stade de France during a France-Germany soccer friendly, one of multiple venues targeted.
The Stade de France is the venue for the final of the quadrennial tournament, scheduled to be played on July 10.
Sporting events have previously been targets for terrorists. In April 2013, two bombs exploded on a crowded street near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring more than 140 others.
Belgium bombings: What we know
Photos: Sport events and terror attacks
Committed to safety
Prior to Abete’s comments, European football’s governing body released a statement, subsequently tweeted by a BBC journalist, in which it reaffirmed its “commitment in placing safety and security at the center of its organizational plans for Euro 2016.”
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, speaking at a press conference, said Tuesday’s events were “a tragic reminder of the high level of threat facing France and its European partners.”
Brussels travel: Flights suspended, transit limited
He added that France’s position was to “not give into terrorism but to make sure Euro 2016 can take place.”
The Brussels terror attacks have been claimed by ISIS.
Belgium friendly moved to Portugal
The Belgium soccer team’s friendly match against Portugal, which had been due to be played in Brussels next Tuesday, was initially scrapped but will instead be played in Leiria, Portugal.
In a statement, the Royal Belgian Football Association said the city authorities had asked for the game to be canceled.
The statement said the decision had been taken “for safety and precaution.”
But Portugal’s football authorities stepped in to offer an alternative venue, meaning the game will now be played on the scheduled day.
Another statement from the RBFA said: “The board of directors has, in agreement with the national coach and coaching staff, decided to accept the proposal to play this match in Leiria.
“The Belgian FA appreciates the availability, flexibility and solutions offered by the Portuguese federation, which has expressed its full solidarity with the Belgian FA in this tough and emotional period.”
Belgium captain Vincent Kompany, writing on Twitter, urged the people of Brussels to “act with dignity” and “reject hate and its preachers.”
The Manchester City defender said he was “horrified and revolted” by what had happened.
The team called off its planned training session after Tuesday’s terror attacks, but trained behind closed doors at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels Wenesday.
