NFL Paris game goes ahead despite security concerns
The NFL says the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers will play their first regular-season game in Paris as protests continue across France. League…
For fans in Paris, the NFL’s decision means the Saints-Steelers game remains on the schedule, but a planned Steelers fan event has been canceled. The league says preparations continue despite security concerns NFL officials are monitoring as protests spread across France.
The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers are set to play the NFL’s first regular-season game in Paris on Sunday at Stade de France. The NFL says it has no plans to move the game, while protests over the cost of living and deteriorating conditions in schools have continued since early October.
French officials have said the unrest has led to thousands of arrests. The French government estimated that 550,000 people took part in demonstrations Saturday, and a curfew has been in effect in some parts of Paris. Many protests have been peaceful, though some have turned violent as masked looters clashed with riot police.
NFL says preparations remain on schedule
A league spokesman wrote Wednesday that “preparations continue as scheduled.” The security and events team the NFL uses for major events is also managing the Paris game, the spokesman said, adding: “There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.”
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international and league events, said after league owners’ meetings Tuesday that officials had not discussed relocating the game. “We have never been close to that point,” O’Reilly said. He added that the league keeps contingency plans for every game.
League officials have been in Paris for several days to oversee operations, including NFL chief security officer Cathy Lanier. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that he was comfortable with the security arrangements and had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“We’ve made all the preparations,” Goodell said. “We’ve been in touch with the appropriate authorities.” He said protests were not unusual in France and that the league would ensure appropriate arrangements were in place.
The league’s decision affects more than the game itself. Fans who planned to attend the Steelers House gathering in the Bastille neighborhood will no longer have that event, while the matchup at Stade de France remains scheduled. The change reflects a direct adjustment to the fan program as the teams and league continue their plans for the game.
Steelers cancel fan event after unrest
The Steelers announced Thursday they would cancel the fan event after recent events in the Bastille neighborhood. The team said it made the decision “after careful consideration.”
Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward said the team would follow the league’s guidance while taking precautions. Speaking Wednesday on “The Rich Eisen Show,” he said: “No traveling alone, make sure we stay in groups and don’t wander off too far.”
Goodell said he looked forward to attending the game. “We’re guests in the country, we’re going to be good guests, and we’re going to do our thing, and I’m confident they’re going to do theirs,” he said.
Paris has already hosted a major sporting event during the unrest: Paris Saint-Germain played Barcelona in a Champions League match Tuesday without incident. Some Saints players attended.
The NFL’s current position is unchanged: the Saints and Steelers are scheduled to play at Stade de France on Sunday.
Source: nbcnews.com
