Security alarm in Paris: 4,000 police officers protect international matches against Israel

Security alarm in Paris: 4,000 police officers protect international matches against Israel

A football game that took place in a war zone! Thanks to a massive security operation, the explosive Nation League duel between France and Israel in the Stade de France was without major incidents.

On Thursday evening, the surroundings of the Stade de France turned into a high -security zone. 4,000 police officers, equipped with bulletproof vests and machine guns, patrolled on the streets, while helicopters circled above the stadium. The French government had drawn all the stops to prevent possible clashes after Israeli fans had recently been attacked in the Netherlands. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau left nothing to ensure that the Israeli team and its supporters in Paris would be safe.

drones and personal checks

The security precautions not only included the massive police presence, but also drone monitoring and traffic barriers. Despite these measures, only 16,611 spectators came to the stadium, including around 600 Israeli fans - a sad record for a game of the French national team. The atmosphere was ghostly because the surrounding stalls remained closed and the fans experienced the 0-0 between the two teams in an almost empty stadium. A television journalist noticed sarcastically: "What a luxury, a police officer for four spectators."

unique incidents

Although there was a short handmade between Israeli and French fans on the stands, the incident was quickly brought under control by folders. This remained the only incident in this "high-risk event". After the game, the Israeli fans were escorted by the police, while a Propalestinian demonstration nearby was peaceful. The left politician Éric Coquerel criticized the presence of the French leadership in the stadium and demanded more attention to the events in the Middle East. Despite the tense situation, the security concept in Paris seems to have been successful - at least for this evening.