A few hours from France-Israel, in the League of Nations, the Stade de France district is already very secure. More than 4,000 police officers will be mobilized, while fewer than 20,000 spectators are expected.
It’s D-day for the high-tension France-Israel match at the Stade de France. A meeting which takes place in “a heavy and heavy context” in the words of the Blues coach, Didier Deschamps. A rally is planned against holding the match at the end of the afternoon. More than 4,000 police officers will be mobilized, for fewer than 20,000 spectators expected.
Around the Stade de France, the district is already under cover. Under the amazed eyes of local residents, columns of CRS and dozens of vans are already surrounding the enclosure.
“It’s quite impressive,” confides a resident. “We’ve never seen that. There can be a crowd movement, that’s reassuring all the same…” “It’s better to be safe than sorry,” adds another. I’m a little apprehensive. I canceled my dentist appointment because I have to travel on foot. I prefer to stay at home.”
“Less turnover”
Precautions also taken in the offices of Renaud, company manager. His team’s open space overlooks the Stade de France square, 20 meters away. “I preferred to take the bull by the horns and give facilitation instructions,” he explains. “I told them to come in the morning but in the afternoon, to work from home for their safety and to simplify life to return home.”
A few meters away, the police are busy making sure that the order has been passed. “They made us sign an order so that we close at 3:45 p.m.,” explains Florian, manager of the La France brasserie, under penalty of a fine. So, he has already tidied up the refreshment bar. “It’s still less turnover for us,” he emphasizes. “During the week, it’s true that we work well with the offices, but that has nothing to do when the stadium is full… It bothers us to close, all the same…”
Especially for the big return of the French team to its lair. It’s been more than a year since the Blues last played in Saint-Denis, because of the 2024 Olympics.
