Bar and restaurants owners won't be allowed to set up TV screens outside their businesses during the European soccer championship.

The move is aimed at improving security during the tournament, with French authorities expecting fewer people will gather if outdoor screens are banned.

France has been under a state of emergency since last November's coordinated attacks which killed 130 people at a rock concert, on the terraces of bars and restaurants and outside the Stade de France, the stadium where the football tournament will begin on Friday.

Junior minister for sports Thierry Braillard said Thursday that official fan zones are the only outdoor public spaces where screens will be installed.

The ban is expected to annoy bar owners, especially in the south of France were people spend warm summer evenings outdoors.