At the Nations League match in Paris, fans booed the Israeli anthem, several clashes occurred
Kyiv • UNN
At the France-Israel soccer match, fans booed the Israeli anthem. The game was held under heavy security due to recent clashes in Amsterdam, and Macron and Barnier were present at the stadium.
Some football fans attending the Nations League match in Paris between France and Israel whistled and booed when the Israeli anthem was played at the beginning of the game, BBC reports, UNN writes.
Details
Thursday's match was held with few spectators and tight security a week after violence erupted in Amsterdam between pro-Palestinian demonstrators and visiting Israeli fans.
Thousands of police officers were deployed to provide security at the Stade de France stadium in the northern suburbs of Paris and on public transportation, while an elite anti-terrorism police unit protected the incoming Israeli team.
According to the Reuters news agency, about 100 Israeli fans ignored their government's warning about the trip and sat in a corner of the 80,000-capacity stadium, which was one-fifth full.
Fans were told to expect document checks before the game, and bars and restaurants in the area were ordered to close from noon.
Despite fears of a repeat of the violence in Amsterdam, there were only a few brief clashes in the stands in the first half of the game, which ended in a 0-0 draw. An AFP reporter witnessed stewards intervening to stop a clash in the stands between opposing fans.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who attended the match along with Prime Minister Michel Barnier, said in advance that France would not succumb to anti-Semitism.
Before the match, several hundred demonstrators gathered in the square near the stadium to wave Palestinian, Lebanese, and Algerian flags to protest the war in Gaza.
Politicians across Europe have condemned the "return of anti-Semitism" after Israeli fans were harassed on the streets of Amsterdam.
Addendum
France, Belgium, and the Netherlands are home to large numbers of Muslims of North African descent, and they live alongside a much smaller Jewish population that mostly identifies with Israel, the publication points out.
"The Stade de France was the site of a dangerous breach of law and order during the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in 2022. However, since then, the Rugby World Cup and the Olympics in Paris have been held there peacefully.
