NFL Keeps Paris Game on Schedule as Protests Continue
The NFL says preparations for its Saints-Steelers game in Paris are continuing despite protests in France. Both teams are coordinating with the league, while…
With protests continuing in France, the NFL says it is keeping its Paris game on schedule, and the New Orleans Saints have already arrived in the country. The Saints are due to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 25 at Stade de France, outside Paris, as the league coordinates with local authorities on security and operations.
The Pittsburgh team is monitoring developments before it travels. Coach Mike McCarthy said the team has discussed the situation with the league and has a plan for the trip.
Plans are proceeding for now.
NFL says preparations continue
The league said Sunday that preparations for its events and the game at Stade de France were continuing as scheduled. It also said it was working with local authorities and partners on operational and security matters, and providing both clubs with regular updates.
“There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites,” the NFL said.
Protests over the cost of living and conditions in schools have swept across France, with some demonstrations turning into riots, according to Awful Announcing. That unrest has raised questions about the practical demands of staging the league’s first game in France, even as the NFL maintains its schedule.
The Saints left the United States after their Week 6 win against the New York Giants and have arrived in France. The Steelers plan to leave the United States on Thursday, giving them a shorter stay before the matchup.
Steelers weigh travel and preparation
McCarthy said the team held a Zoom call with the league office as part of its usual preparations before traveling. “We’re aware of the situation over there and have a lot of confidence in our plan,” he told reporters.
The coach said the Steelers are excited to play in Paris, while continuing conversations as events unfold. The team also has to manage the disruption of an overseas trip without losing its preparation rhythm.
“The hydration. The sleep,” McCarthy said, describing the basics the team will focus on. He added that he wants to give players the best opportunity to prepare and perform while keeping their routine as normal as possible.
The trip also sits between two important games on Pittsburgh’s schedule. The Steelers will return to face the Cleveland Browns on Nov. 1 at Acrisure Stadium, and McCarthy said the team is planning for both the Paris game and that subsequent AFC North matchup. Unlike last season’s overseas trip, Pittsburgh will not have a bye afterward, according to Yahoo Sports.
The stakes for the league extend beyond this matchup. Awful Announcing reported that the NFL has expressed interest in expanding its international schedule, while the Paris game will test how the league coordinates with authorities in another country during a period of unrest. For fans and the clubs, the league’s latest update means the game remains on the calendar, though officials say they are continuing to monitor operational and security matters.
The Steelers head into the trip after a 26-19 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a result that lifted them to a tie for the division lead with the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns at 4-2. The league has not announced a change to the Oct. 25 game.
Source: awfulannouncing.com
