Euro 2016: France bans alcohol near match venues after violence between England and Russia fans
French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced restrictions on the sale, transportation and consumption of alcohol in certain areas on Sunday evening. Alcohol is banned from “sensitive areas” around Euro 2016 matches including public areas, as well as shops and off-licences, the BBC reports. Additionally, Senior local officials are granted the power to also ban bars and cafes from serving alcohol on their terraces in containers that can be used as missiles.
I have asked for all necessary measures to be taken to prohibit the sale, consumption and transport of alcoholic drinks in sensitive areas on match days and the day before, and on days when fan zones are open,” said Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, according to The Independent.
The new measures follow events in Marseille in recent days, when clashes between English and Russian football supporters left more than 30 people injured and led to Uefa opening disciplinary proceedings against the Russian Football Association. Uefa has warned both England and Russia they could face disqualification from the tournament if the violence continues.
Mr. Cazeneuve said, in announcing the strengthened alcohol regulations:
We witnessed violence between fans, caused by alcoholic hordes who have engaged in unacceptable abuses.”