Brussels attack: Uefa reaffirms commitment to Euro 2016 safety and security

Uefa has reaffirmed its commitment to focusing on safety and security during preparation for this summer's European Championship finals in France in the wake of the terrorist attacks that struck Brussels on 22 March. The Belgian capital's Maelbeek metro station and Zaventem airport were targeted with multiple explosions, leaving more than 30 dead and over 90 injured.

Such shocking scenes come just four months after co-ordinated attacks across Paris killed 130. On that occasion, the Stade de France was included as one of the targets as blasts occurred outside and at a nearby fast food restaurant during an international friendly between France and Germany. Didier Deschamps' side begin their Euro 2016 campaign at the same stadium with a Group A meeting against Romania on 10 June.

"Following today's events in Brussels, Uefa wishes to reaffirm its commitment in placing safety and security at the centre of its organisational plans for Uefa Euro 2016," a statement read, as relayed by the BBC. "All stakeholders involved in the organisation of the tournament will continue their joint work and will regularly monitor the level of risk for the tournament and their respective organisational plans.

"For over three years now, Euro 2016 Sas has been working closely with the relevant authorities to develop the most appropriate mechanisms in order to guarantee a safe and secure tournament and all necessary measures are being taken to ensure that is the case for all involved."

Euro 2016 Sas is a joint venture between Uefa and the French Football Federation founded in 2011 and chaired by former FFF director general Jacques Lambert. It features an eight-man steering committee and its responsibilities include "taking care of the implementation of the tournament and its associated events, handling private safety and security, and promoting the competition".

French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve echoed those sentiments from European football's governing body. He said: "The events in Brussels remind us of the very high level of security which is necessary to ensure Euro 2016 is successful. Euro 2016 should be a celebration but collective security is an obligation for everyone alongside the government."

Belgium have cancelled training in the wake of the Brussels attacks and it seems unlikely that their proposed friendly against Portugal at the King Baudouin Stadium in the north-west of the city will go ahead as planned on 29 March. Premier League club Norwich City, meanwhile, have confirmed that on-loan Dynamo Kiev striker Dieumerci Mbokani is "unharmed but shaken" after being present at Zaventem airport this morning.