US governmental agencies suspect Euro 2016 could be facing a terrorist threat, with special attention on the match between England and Russia.
(Image credit: Fanzone UEFA Euro 2016)
America’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) has issued a report outlining the possible repercussions for Euro 2016, according to ESPN. “The influx of visitors to France during the summer months, especially during the Euro Cup, will create an especially target-rich environment for threat actors wishing to attack soft target locations with maximum impact.”
The report highlights that fan zones could be one of the most targeted areas for potential attacks, but that high-level security measures should decrease the threat to these respective sites around France. “While Euro Cup fan zones will possibly be more vulnerable, the level of security that will be enacted around these areas will to some degree mitigate the vulnerability against these sites.”
“Consequently, terrorist plots aimed at disrupting the Euro Cup may be directed against soft-target locations outside of the Euro Cup venues and fan zones. Locations such as entertainment venues, which are likely to be filled with fans watching games; restaurants; and other public gathering points could be seen as more accessible targets.”
Euro 2016 will kick off on June 10 with the first game being between hosts France and Romania, for which the former is the favourite to win 1.30 (3/10) the encounter, with the latter having minimal chances 13.00 (12/1), per online sportsbook Bet365. France are also the favourites to win the tournament 4.00 (3/1), while Germany are second on the list 4.50 (7/2). Current defending champions Spain are third favourites 6.50 (11/2), while England and Belgium have odds of 9.50 (17/2) and 12.00 (11/1) respectively. If France manage to win Euro 2016 on home soil, it would be their third European title, after clinching the Henri Delaunay trophy in 1984 and 2000.
(For more info about the online sportsbook, check out Betting Herald’s Bet365 Sports Review.)
(Image credit: ESPN FC)
The OSAC report also warned that there could be violent clashes between fans due to the combination of alcohol and high-level games during the tournament, despite the fact that France is generally known for having low levels of violent crime. “While violent crime is generally low in France, the combination of alcohol and competing fans during high-stakes matches could lead to tensions that could spill over into confrontation and violence.”
Particular emphasis for violent outbursts was put on countries that have a history of hooliganism in major sporting events like Euro 2016. “Fan unrest may be more likely during matches that feature teams with a history of tensions,” the report stressed.
“Euro 2016’s first round features one such match, with England playing Russia on June 11 in Marseille; there is a history of violence associated with recent matches between these two sides. England fans also rioted after a World Cup 1998 match against Tunisia, also played in Marseille. As a remedy, some countries temporarily revoke passports for fans with a history of hooliganism abroad, as England did for some 3,000 fans during the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, and nearly 1,500 during the 2014 World Cup. The number for Euro 2016 is reportedly only in the low hundreds at this time.”
England have won all of their games in the qualifying rounds for Euro 2016, which makes them automatic favourites against other teams in their group. Online sportsbook Bet365 strongly favours Roy Hodgson’s men to win 1.95 (19/20) the game against Russia 4.00 (3/1) on June 11, while their chances of finishing first in Group B are 1.83 (5/6). Russia are second favourites to clinch first spot in the group 4.33 (10/3), while Wales and Slovakia have much lower odds, 4.50 (7/2) and 10.00 (9/1) respectively.
After Russia on June 11, England 1.72 (8/11) faces Wales 4.75 (15/4) on June 15, while five days after that match, the Three Lions 1.61 (8/13) will face Slovakia 5.50 (9/2) in their final group game of Euro 2016. Besides the regular markets, Bet365 online sportsbook offers a full range of other options that can offer you other betting angels.