An extraordinary security device for a match under extreme tension. The authorities insisted on maintaining the France-Israel match at the Stade de France with the public despite the ambient tension linked to the war in the Middle East and the violence which punctuated Amsterdam between groups of individuals and supporters of Maccabi Tel Aviv . Le Parisien takes stock of the substantial security measures that have been prepared.
“There is no particular threat, but zero risk does not exist,” Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said Tuesday evening on TF1, praising “exceptional measures.” “There will be double control, a security perimeter around the anti-terrorist stadium. We will have a total of 4,000 people on the system,” said Laurent Nuñez, Paris police prefect, on Sunday. 2,500 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed around the stadium, 1,500 in Paris and its transport routes. Among them will be many mobile force units, whether CRS or mobile gendarmes, reports TF1.
The elite BRI unit will also be mobilized in support of the Raid to secure the travel of Israeli athletes, according to RTL. In addition to the police, 1,600 security agents hired by the FFF (French Football Federation) will be deployed inside the stadium. “On average it’s 1,200 or 1,300 for France matches when it’s a sold-out stadium,” said Laurent Nuñez.
The stadium will not be full: around 20,000 spectators are expected, for a capacity of 80,000 seats. The security system will not be any less substantial. Access to and surroundings of the Stade de France will be particularly monitored. The businesses, and therefore the bars, which surround the square in front of the enclosure have been instructed to lower the curtain at 3:45 p.m. on the day of the match (this being scheduled for 8:45 p.m.). The offices of several neighboring businesses will also close.
Spectators are also warned in advance: “a possible identity rapprochement will be carried out around the stadium”. The authorities fear demonstrations by pro-Palestinian activists: “for spectators, there will be a security system around the stadium with double control: at the entrance to the protection perimeter, then at the entrance to the stadium. With each time identity check, search, pat-down,” explained Laurent Nuñez.
It is therefore essential to come to the match with an identity document, a CNI or a passport. It will also be prohibited to enter the compound with a Palestinian flag. Only French and Israeli flags will be admitted. According to several consistent sources, between 100 and 150 Israeli supporters are expected.
