The NFL has promised ‘heightened’ security for this weekend’s clash between the Steelers and the Saints in Paris.
The league’s first ever game in France is taking place against a backdrop of violence and anarchy after protests turned ugly in cities across the country.
In France’s worst civil unrest in years, rioters clashed with police, set cars on fire, stormed public buildings and engulfed a historic city hall in flames. In Paris alone, more than 100,000 people hit the streets.
The chaos plunged this weekend’s clash between Pittsburgh and New Orleans at the Stade de France into doubt, with the wife of Steelers star TJ Watt, Dani, among those to express their shock that the game would go ahead.
‘Tell me how this makes sense???’ the former soccer player said.
But the NFL has ignored calls to move the game and on Tuesday, an official said the league will step up its security operation.
The NFL’s first ever game in France is taking place against a backdrop of violence and anarchy
In France’s worst civil unrest in years, rioters clashed with police and set cars on fire
The wife of Steelers star TJ Watt, Dani, expressed her shock that the game would go ahead
Executive VP of club business, international and league events Peter O’Reilly said the NFL is working with Parisian and national authorities overseas, along with the U.S. State Department.
He added that league officials, including senior VP of security Cathy Lanier, have been on the ground in France.
‘There’s nothing more important from our standpoint than the teams’ security, the fans’ security – everybody involved with this game,’ O’Reilly said at the league’s annual fall owners meeting.
‘Obviously being very vigilant in everything we do, in all of our planning on an hour-by-hour basis, working closely with the two teams.’
O’Reilly insisted the game was never in danger of being moved. He cited other sporting events ongoing in the city, including a Champions League soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona on Tuesday night.
The NFL has in the past moved games to avoid getting in the way of local response to an unforeseen event, and officials believe that is not an issue for the league’s debut in France.
‘We feel confident that we would not have any impact on the broader resources needed,’ O’Reilly said.
Around 2,400 people were arrested, with thousands of businesses damaged or looted
The New Orleans Saints traveled directly to Paris after playing at the New York Giants
‘That’s always top of mind for us, and we feel confident that we wouldn’t be depleting resources in a negative way around this game.’
Around 2,400 people were arrested over the weekend, with French authorities claiming thousands of businesses were damaged or looted.
The rioting overshadowed demonstrations against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools in which hundreds of thousands of people marched peacefully.
The Saints traveled directly to Paris after playing at the New York Giants and are practicing in the area this week. The Steelers are set to travel closer to kickoff.
