A few brief scuffles in the stands, the Israeli anthem whistled but no major incident, Thursday November 14, at the Stade de France. The high-tension, high-security match between France and Israel in the Nations League ended in a 0-0 draw.
“There were two arrests” After “the start of a fight“in the stands, on the sidelines of the Football match between France and Israel at the Stade de France, announced Friday on France 2, the Paris police prefect Laurent Nuñez. The first arrest took place”immediately“, the second “at the end of the match, once we were able to dissect on video what had happened“, specifies the State representative, who does not want to give more details, but salutes the work of the stewards who were”extremely responsive”.
In front of only 16,611 spectators, the lowest attendance, excluding Covid, since the creation of the stadium in 1998. The main thing was elsewhere, a week after the anti-Semitic violence in Amsterdam, the security of the match having become a major problem. Ultimately no incidents but a heavy and heavy atmosphere.
Étienne sums up the evening quite well: one eye on the pitch, the other on the context. Football? Off topic for this Blues supporter: “It was quite tense. The whole match we were wondering, we were watching, we were scrutinizing the stands, the supporters. We spent 90 minutes looking at each other.” Paying attention to the slightest incident, such as this crowd movement in the first period in the corner of the Israeli supporters. The illustration of a general gloomy atmosphere, on a thread. Very strange, for Hugo: “The stadium was almost empty so it was a little sad. The atmosphere was a little dead at times and a little heavy, heavy.”
Same feeling for Xavier: “That’s not why we come to see the French team, that’s not why we go to the stadium. It’s a shame that international politics comes into it. We know that there’s not much we can do about it and often, unfortunately, politics comes into play. It’s not the best conditions to watch a football match. It’s an evening to forget for everyone. .”
Except for the Israeli supporters, who were rather very satisfied with the welcome and security. Jocelyne leaves the stadium with her in her hands “two flags, Israeli and French”. And the feeling of a successful evening: “I’m not a football fan at all but I wanted to be there this evening because France made the effort to insist that this match take place. So we had to be there. A beautiful evening, we feel protected as well.”
A feeling shared by Ethan, despite the paltry crowd: “There was a good atmosphere from the French and Israeli supporters. It happened in brotherhood. For me, it was a beautiful message of peace between two nations that we love very much. I hope that it continues towards the better.” If there is one subject on which the feelings of the supporters of the Blues and Israel converge, it is the quality of the match: “We were a bit pissed off, we have to be honest”. Thursday, at the Stade de France, sport was definitely relegated to the background.
