The primary concern leading up to Euro 2016 was the threat of Islamist terrorism. What we are seeing instead is a different kind of terrorism in the form of hooliganism.

England fan fighting for his life  and dozens more injured as English fans and Russian thugs clash at Euro 2016 in Marseille

French CRS (special mobile police force) in Marseilles

British police have travelled to France to help out the French police. 300,000 to 500,000 English football fans are expected in France.

From Le Monde newspaper – Alors que la crainte d’un mouvement terroriste met la police française sur le qui-vive pour l’Euro 2016, l’arrivée de hordes « barbares » du Royaume-Uni est une distraction que goûtent peu les autorités. While the fear of a terrorist movement puts French police on the alert for Euro 2016, the arrival of hordes of “barbarians” from the UK is a distraction the authorities have no taste for.

Scotland Yard has imposed a travel ban on the almost 2,000 football hooligans considered violent…they cannot leave U.K. territory. They were obliged to surrender their passports to police on June 1st. A large operation control of the twenty-seven major ports in the United Kingdom is set up to ensure that they cannot go to France.

French and British police tactics differ. The British police have criticized the French for being too harsh towards offending hooligans, the French criticize the British police for being too lenient.

On a personal note, because of the kick-off of Euro 2016, the noise level in Paris this weekend is insupportable. As I type this (on Sunday morning) the drone of a helicopter overhead is giving me a headache. Last night the street noise in front of my building was non-stop until 3 a.m. I’m weary. Weary of strikes, pollution, violence, noise. I think I’m suffering from urban burn-out. I dream of escaping to a silent haven somewhere. On the other hand, when I read about the displaced and terrorized migrants escaping ISIS horrors, I should be grateful for what I have (and I am), so I’ll just keep my mouth shut.