New Delhi: The Nations League clash between France and Israel at the Stade de France unfolded under intense security measures, with tensions rising both on and off the pitch. The encounter ended in a goalless draw, yet the events surrounding the match highlighted a convergence of football, politics, and security concerns.
The altercation took place in the top section of the stand behind one of the goals, with reports suggesting that some involved were draped in Israeli flags. The reason behind the fight is still unclear, but security intervention nipped the situation before it escalated.
Video footage shared online depicted fans running along the rows of seats while whistles and jeers echoed through the stadium.
Police confirmed the arrest of two individuals, one caught at the scene and another identified via CCTV. The incident underscored the tense atmosphere in a stadium with just 150 Israel supporters among a crowd of 16,611 inside the 80,000-capacity Stade de France.
Paris authorities were mindful of last week’s violence in Amsterdam involving fans of Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv; they deployed a massive security force to manage the situation. Some 4,000 officers and security personnel, assisted by 1,600 civilian stewards, were stationed in and around the stadium. Despite the heightened tensions, officials deemed the security operation a success in preventing large-scale disturbances.
Welcome to the real world…
Zionists will not be accepted anywhere!
Despite the presence of al_Shabab, in Israeli and French security forces
Riots and scuffles between Israeli supporters and the French national team during a match in Paris 🗼🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/WK8nWfdwWc
— 아스트로 _ 세이토 🔻 💚 (@angels_bac58190) November 15, 2024
Police made 40 arrests at a tense football match between France and Israel in Paris, but the city’s police chief said on Friday the huge security operation had “worked very well”.
The Amsterdam incident had seen Maccabi fans attacked following their Europa League match against Ajax. Maccabi fans were pursued by youths on scooters and beaten after a Europa League match against Ajax. The Israeli supporters had earlier burned a Palestinian flag, attacked a taxi and chanted anti-Arab slogans, according to city authorities.
Amsterdam’s mayor Femke Halsema called the incidents a “poisonous cocktail of anti-Semitism and hooliganism”, while Dutch far-right lawmaker Geert Wilders blamed the violence on “Muslims”.
Whistles, jeers, and frustrations on the field
Inside the Stade de France, the match unfolded in a charged atmosphere. Sections of the crowd whistled Israel’s national anthem, and Israeli players faced jeers whenever they took possession of the ball. Despite these challenges, the visitors displayed resilience and secured their first point in the Nations League against a France side lacking attacking prowess in the absence of star forward Kylian Mbappé.
Israel’s goalkeeper, Daniel Peretz, delivered an outstanding performance, thwarting attempts from Randal Kolo Muani, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Christopher Nkunku. Veteran midfielder N’Golo Kante, captaining France, struggled to inspire his team with a key opportunity going wide.
France secures quarterfinal berth
Despite the draw, France ensured qualification for the Nations League quarterfinals, joining Germany, Spain, and Italy in the next stage. Italy’s narrow 1-0 victory over Belgium, courtesy of Sandro Tonali’s early goal, solidified their position alongside France in their group.
A brief altercation broke out in the stands 10 minutes into the France-Israel Nations League match with Israeli flags visible. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
