The government of Iceland has decided to send eight Icelandic police officers to help with providing security at the EURO 2016 in France this summer, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports. The Icelandic officers will be joining police officers from other countries whose teams are competing at the football championship in an international force and mobile unit tasked with assisting French officers in ensuring the safety of fans.
Read more: As the smallest nation ever advances to the European finals Icelanders go wild: Video
The ministry of the interior estimates that between 15,000 and 20,000 Icelandic fans will be attending the June 10 – July 10 championship. A total of 2.5 million guests are expected to attend matches at 10 stadiums across France, and 7.5 million more to watch games on giant screens at squares in major cities.
France is deploying 60,000 police officers to provide security at the games, but with threats of terrorist attacks looming French authorities have requested foreign nations whose teams are competing at the championship provide officers to help ensure safety of fans, primarily in relaying information first hand to fans, in their native language.
French authorities had requested eight Icelandic police officers to join the international force, a request which was granted by the Icelandic government yesterday. The government has also earmarked the necessary funds to pay for the Icelandic officers.
The Icelandic Police force at EURO 2016 will follow the Icelandic national football team as it plays at different stadiums in France. The officers will act as intermediaries between French authorities and the Icelandic fans, providing up to date and first hand information to the fans and football team, for example in the case stadiums must be evacuated.
The government of Iceland has decided to send eight Icelandic police officers to help with providing security at the EURO 2016 in France this summer, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service reports. The Icelandic officers will be joining police officers from other countries whose teams are competing at the football championship in an international force and mobile unit tasked with assisting French officers in ensuring the safety of fans.
Read more: As the smallest nation ever advances to the European finals Icelanders go wild: Video
The ministry of the interior estimates that between 15,000 and 20,000 Icelandic fans will be attending the June 10 – July 10 championship. A total of 2.5 million guests are expected to attend matches at 10 stadiums across France, and 7.5 million more to watch games on giant screens at squares in major cities.
France is deploying 60,000 police officers to provide security at the games, but with threats of terrorist attacks looming French authorities have requested foreign nations whose teams are competing at the championship provide officers to help ensure safety of fans, primarily in relaying information first hand to fans, in their native language.
French authorities had requested eight Icelandic police officers to join the international force, a request which was granted by the Icelandic government yesterday. The government has also earmarked the necessary funds to pay for the Icelandic officers.
The Icelandic Police force at EURO 2016 will follow the Icelandic national football team as it plays at different stadiums in France. The officers will act as intermediaries between French authorities and the Icelandic fans, providing up to date and first hand information to the fans and football team, for example in the case stadiums must be evacuated.
