Football Fan Clashes at France vs. Israel Match Avoid Major Violence
Tensions high but contained at Stade de France during Nations League game
A skirmish among Israeli football fans occurred at Stade de France during a tense UEFA Nations League match against France, but heavy police presence prevented escalation reminiscent of recent violence in Amsterdam.
The match was deemed 'high risk' after hooliganism and antisemitism at a previous game between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
During the match, the Israeli national anthem was booed, and isolated clashes among spectators were swiftly managed by security forces.
President Emmanuel Macron, along with other French political figures such as Prime Minister Michel Barnier and former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, attended the match to show solidarity against antisemitism.
Macron stated that France would not tolerate discrimination or violence.
Despite the game's low turnout of fewer than 20,000 in an 80,000-capacity stadium, significant security measures were in place, with about 4,000 police officers and 1,600 security personnel deployed in the area.
Israeli officials advised their nationals to avoid the game amid safety concerns.
Meanwhile, a pro-Palestinian protest took place nearby but was prevented from approaching the stadium.
The French police chief, Laurent Nuñez, remarked on the lessons learned from Amsterdam to ensure security far beyond the stadium itself.
Enhanced safety measures included restricting items brought into the venue and limiting national flags allowed.
This came after previous confrontations between police and pro-Palestinian protesters in Paris.
International scrutiny followed the Amsterdam incidents, highlighted by a report from Amsterdam's mayor, suggesting a mix of antisemitism and regional tensions sparked the unrest.
The match was deemed 'high risk' after hooliganism and antisemitism at a previous game between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
During the match, the Israeli national anthem was booed, and isolated clashes among spectators were swiftly managed by security forces.
President Emmanuel Macron, along with other French political figures such as Prime Minister Michel Barnier and former presidents François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, attended the match to show solidarity against antisemitism.
Macron stated that France would not tolerate discrimination or violence.
Despite the game's low turnout of fewer than 20,000 in an 80,000-capacity stadium, significant security measures were in place, with about 4,000 police officers and 1,600 security personnel deployed in the area.
Israeli officials advised their nationals to avoid the game amid safety concerns.
Meanwhile, a pro-Palestinian protest took place nearby but was prevented from approaching the stadium.
The French police chief, Laurent Nuñez, remarked on the lessons learned from Amsterdam to ensure security far beyond the stadium itself.
Enhanced safety measures included restricting items brought into the venue and limiting national flags allowed.
This came after previous confrontations between police and pro-Palestinian protesters in Paris.
International scrutiny followed the Amsterdam incidents, highlighted by a report from Amsterdam's mayor, suggesting a mix of antisemitism and regional tensions sparked the unrest.
