ISIS targeting Euro 2016 crowds with bombs admits French government in grim revelation

FRANCE faces a series of devastating ISIS attacks, spy chiefs have confirmed, ahead of next month's Euro 2016 tournament.

GAME OVER: French security services have confirmed ISIS are targeting large crowds

Patrick Calvar, head of France's DGSI internal intelligence agency, said Islamic State were ready to target large crowds in the country.

His comments come just hours after EgyptAir MS804 flight from Paris to Cairo disappeared in Egyptian airspace – sparking fears ISIS have struck again.

While the terror group have already revealed their willingness to target sports fans, having targeted the Stade de France during November's Paris attacks.

REVELATION: Patrick Calvar confirmed the threat in a presentation to the French government

Mr Calvar told the French government's defence committee: "Clearly, France is the most threatened and we know that Daesh (Islamic State) is planning new attacks."

He said it would be "a new form of attack… characterized by explosive devices in places where there are large crowds and repeating this type of action to create a climate of maximum panic."

ISIS has the numbers to make it happen, he added, with 645 French citizens of residents already supporting ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and a further 201 believed to be on the way.

And they will get to France, Mr Calvar said, using the same routes through the Balkans migrants are using to escape the ongoing conflict in Syria.

The defence boss said ISIS – which is being battered by coalition air strikes – wanted to put on a show of strength.

"It's in a position where it would try to hit as quickly as possible and as hard as possible," he told the committee.

"It is facing military difficulties on the ground and so will want to divert attention and avenge coalition air strikes."

Euro 2016 starts on June 10 and runs for a month at 10 stadiums across the country, in a tournament attended by 2.5million fans.

Now France is bracing itself to deal with the growing terror threat while the French government tries to reassure visitors they'll be safe.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, asked about Calvar's comments, said simply: "We will not drop our guard."

Security services got a vivid reminder of the challenges they face at Old Trafford on Sunday.

A fake bomb left behind after a training exercise saw the Manchester United stadium evacuated and its match against Bournemouth cancelled.