The head of the organising committee for Euro 2016 has promised France will take the “necessary decisions” to ensure next summer’s tournament takes place in safety.
Jacques Lambert made the pledge in the wake of Friday's terror attacks in Paris, where 129 people were killed and hundreds more injured during a series of incidents across the French capital.
It is the second time this year that Paris has been hit by terrorism after 12 people were killed by gunmen in January, and the attacks raise serious concerns about fans’ safety at Euro 2016, which is being held in the country between June 10 and July 10 next year.
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However, Lambert has sought to ease fears about security and played down any suggestion of the tournament not going ahead in France.
He told French broadcaster RTL: “To ask questions about the cancellation of Euro 2016 is to play into the hands of the terrorists.
“The risk level was up a notch in January, and it just got up a notch.
“We will take the necessary decisions for Euro 2016 to take place in the best safety conditions. I will not reveal what we are going to do because that would alert our opponents.”
He added: “The security in stadiums works well, the risk is more out in the streets, in spontaneous gatherings.”
French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet had earlier said: “We will do whatever it takes to ensure security despite all the risks that entails. I know everyone is vigiliant. Obviously this causes us to be even more vigilant. But it is a permanent situation for the Federation and the state.”
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
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