France

European football’s governing body Uefa has said it will assess security measures in the wake of the violent clashes that have marred the opening of Euro 2016, and has threatened the Russian Football Union (RFS) and English Football Association (FA) with expulsion from the national team tournament in France should incidents continue.

A group of Chinese and American investors have acquired a controlling 80-per-cent stake in French Ligue 1 football club Nice.

French President Francois Hollande has issued a warning to unions considering striking during the country’s hosting of Uefa Euro 2016, saying that he is prepared to take “any necessary measures” to ensure the national team football tournament runs smoothly.

A survey of the French public has revealed that 80 per cent of the population support the city’s bid to host the 2024 summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The French government has revealed that 23,000 police will be positioned at this summer’s Tour De France cycling event as part of a move to increase security amidst the threat of terrorism, while a force of more than 90,000 personnel will be deployed during Uefa Euro 2016, which also takes place in the country this year.

Granada is poised to become the latest Spanish Liga football club to receive Chinese investment after a takeover deal was confirmed, while Atletico Madrid is set to acquire a 35 per cent stake in French Ligue 2 team Lens.

French authorities have vowed to tackle security concerns raised following Saturday’s Coupe de France final ahead of the country’s staging of the Uefa Euro 2016 national team football tournament, which begins next month.

France’s parliament has extended a national state of emergency that has been in place since the Paris terrorist attacks in November to cover the Uefa Euro 2016 national football team tournament and Tour de France cycling event, both of which are due to take place this summer.

Paris City Council has given its approval to a new plan that aims to transform the French capital as part of the city’s bid to host the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Anti-drone technology will be introduced to aid security measures at the Uefa Euro 2016 national team football tournament, officials have confirmed.

The Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has today (Monday) outlined part of a 43 point plan that will place sport at the very heart of the French capital and seek to leverage the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid as a catalyst for the reinvention of the city.

The iconic Le Mans circuit in France will continue to host MotoGP motorcycle-racing events until at least 2021.

The city of Montpellier has announced plans to develop a new stadium for its French Ligue 1 football club.

The French Tennis Federation’s (FFT) headquarters and the home of its president Jean Gachassin have been raided as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and embezzlement surrounding ticket sales for the French Open and the redevelopment of Roland Garros, the home of the grand slam tournament.

The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) has announced that the French commune of Champagny-en-Vanoise will host its showpiece Ice Climbing World Championships in lead and speed next year.

The French Handball Federation (FFHB) has announced that five cities will host its staging of the 2018 European Women's Handball Championship, with Paris set to welcome the finale of the national team competition.