The US State Department has warned that this summer's European Championships could be under threat of a terror attack.
France was the scene of a string of coordinated terrorist attacks in November that left 130 people dead, with the Stade de France one of the venues targeted during a friendly between France and Germany.
The country remains in a state of emergency following the attacks, and an eight-page document from the US State Department warns that Euro 2016 could be similarly targeted.
"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, compiled by America's Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), said.
"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."
The tournament gets underway on June 10.
Barney Corkhill
