Steelers-Saints Paris game stays on amid France unrest
The NFL says its Week 7 game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers remains scheduled for Paris on Oct. 25, despite protests and civil unrest…
PARIS — The nfl steelers-saints paris still game is scheduled to go ahead on Oct. 25, the NFL said, keeping the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 7 meeting at Stade de France on the calendar as protests and civil unrest continue across France. The league says preparations are proceeding with local authorities and security partners.
The decision means both teams are still planning to travel for the first NFL game in France, with the Saints due to head to Paris after playing the New York Giants and the Steelers set to depart after practicing in Pittsburgh. The NFL has reported no disruption at league sites.
“Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday,” the NFL said in a statement. “We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters.”
NFL says Paris preparations continue
The game will be played north of Paris at Stade de France. The NFL said it is giving both clubs regular updates and working with local authorities on operational and security matters. The league’s statement did not announce a change to the venue or schedule.
There is no change for now. Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said the team agreed with the league’s position and still intends to play. He said the club has kept daily security contact with partners in France, while members of its football operations and internal security teams have been on the ground there for the past few days.
“There's been no disruption or impact at any of our team sites,” Bensel said.
The travel plans reflect the teams’ separate schedules. The Saints are planning to leave for Paris immediately after their game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Steelers plan to practice in Pittsburgh before departing for France on Thursday.
Protests raise security concerns
The NFL’s statement comes as demonstrations over rising living costs and poor conditions in schools have escalated. Police arrested at least 1,800 people across France after violent groups clashed with officers and looted shops during nationwide protests that drew hundreds of thousands of people, according to ESPN.
Authorities said masked groups set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities on Saturday. The unrest has made security planning a central concern for a major event involving two traveling teams, though both the league and the Saints say their preparations have not been disrupted.
For fans and team staff, the immediate practical consequence is that the Paris trip remains in place, rather than being postponed or moved. The NFL says it is coordinating with local authorities and keeping the clubs updated; the Saints say their personnel have found no impact at team sites in France.
President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to meet senior government officials Sunday before addressing the nation at 8 p.m. local time, his office said. The NFL game remains scheduled for Oct. 25.
Source: espn.com
