(VOVworld)- The month-long European football championship (Euro 2016) will begin next Friday in Paris, France. Security has been tightened against a possible terrorist attack.

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency (BfV) has warned that “Islamic State militants have the Euro 2016 football tournament in their sights”. Head of the agency Hans-Georg Maassen told reporters recently that although there is no hard evidence of an attack being planned, there is "quite a lot of background noise, an elevated number of indications" that IS, al Qaeda or its Syrian affiliate Nusra Front want to perpetrate attacks against Western targets.  Earlier, the intelligence chief of France, the host country of Euro 2016, said IS is planning bomb attacks on crowded places.

France tightens security for Euro 2016 (Photo: Getty)

France is gearing up to ensure security for the tournament. Minister of the Interior Bernard Cazeneuve on May 25 said France will deploy more than 60,000 police and do its best to thwart any terrorist plot. Cazeneuve’s statement came after agitators burned flares and threw smoke bombs in Stade de France stadium in Paris.

In an interview with the sports daily newspaper “L’Equipe”, Minister Cazeneuve said the French Cup final match between Paris Saint Germain and Olympique Marseille on May 21 was not considered a security rehearsal ahead of the Euro. According to the French minister, it is the responsibility of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) to guarantee security inside stadiums and secret agents are responsible for safeguarding fanzones, where more than 7 million fans from all over the world will gather.  France’s Ministry of the Interior has ordered strict security checks and the use of metal detectors and has banned fans from bringing bags with them into the fanzones. UEFA plans to send between 10,000 and 15,000 security personnel with high-tech monitoring equipment to more than 110 sites, including stadiums and hotels. Stade de France stadium, where the opening and closing matches will take place on June 10 and July 10, will have maximum security.

Euro 2016 is expected to draw 2.5 million spectators to 51 matches in 10 stadiums where 24 national teams will play.