The France-Israel match in Saint-Denis this Thursday promises to be under high tension. An imposing security system is deployed to ensure the smooth running of the meeting in a delicate diplomatic context, with a gathering of opponents planned in front of the town hall which further complicates the task of the authorities…
It is in a particularly tense context that the Nations League match between France and Israel will take place this Thursday evening at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis. An exceptional security system, with no less than 4,000 police officers and gendarmes mobilized to supervise only 20,000 expected spectators, has been put in place to ensure the smooth running of this high-risk meeting.
A delicate diplomatic context
The tense diplomatic relations between France and Israel in recent months, against a backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, give this simple Football match a whole new dimension. Beyond the sporting aspect, it is a real political and security issue that the authorities must face.
We are in constant contact with the Israeli authorities to ensure the security of their delegation. All measures are taken in coordination with state services.
Noël Le Graët, president of the French Football Federation
The arrival of the Israeli selection is placed under high protection, with a system worthy of heads of state according to a source close to the matter. Their hotel is placed under constant surveillance and their movements are under police escort.
A gathering of opponents which complicates the situation
But what particularly worries the authorities is the gathering planned for the day of the match in front of the town hall of Saint-Denis by several pro-Palestinian associations and left-wing elected officials to protest against the coming of the Israeli team to France. .
Several hundred people are expected at this demonstration, although it has been banned by the Police Prefecture. Overflows are to be feared despite the safety instructions given to participants.
There is no justification for welcoming a national team under the banner of a State which so blatantly flouts international law and human rights in a context of violence as we are currently seeing.
Joint declaration from elected officials of Seine Saint Denis
Even if the town hall has distanced itself from the event, it is the geographical proximity between the place of the gathering and the Stade de France which concerns the police. How can we ensure security around the stadium while containing a potential demonstration a few hundred meters away?
Safe management under tension until the end
For the authorities, the equation has been complex since the announcement of this gathering, which adds to the risks already identified. According to our information, all scenarios are being considered, including the cancellation of the meeting in the event of confirmed threats to one of the two delegations.
- Mobilization of 4,000 police officers and gendarmes
- Expanded security perimeter around the stadium
- Reinforced identity checks and searches
- Drone surveillance of the gathering
The system, one of the most important ever put in place for a football match in France, is intended to be a deterrent but does not eliminate all the risks in a particularly heavy climate. A security system that will mobilize the police until late at night, well after the final whistle.
“More than ever, this France-Israel match is akin to a security powder keg that a simple spark could ignite. The authorities are playing a particularly delicate role to avoid any excess on the sidelines of an already highly symbolic meeting. A real textbook case for law enforcement. »
A match under close surveillance, therefore, where the security issue will take precedence over the sporting aspect. We can only hope that the show will take place on the pitch and not in the stands or around the stadium. Football sometimes has difficulty remaining a simple game when it finds itself caught in geopolitical turmoil.
