The France-Israel match on November 14 promises to be explosive. After the violent incidents in Amsterdam, the French authorities are on alert. Discover the drastic security measures put in place to avoid any overflow at the Stade de France. A match under high tension…
It’s a Football match like no other that’s looming. On November 14, France will welcome Israel to the Stade de France for a very high-tension Nations League match. An explosive meeting, just one week after the violent clashes which broke out in Amsterdam between supporters of Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv on the sidelines of a Europa League match.
Incidents in Amsterdam That Make You Fear the Worst
Last Thursday, the Ajax-Maccabi Tel-Aviv match was marred by serious excesses. Around sixty people were arrested after several incidents on the sidelines of the match, won 5-0 by the Dutch. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted strongly, denouncing “a premeditated attack” against Israeli supporters.
Despite these clashes, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau ruled out the hypothesis of a relocation of the France-Israel match. “France is not backing down because that would amount to abdicating in the face of threats of violence and anti-Semitism,” he said. Firm words, but which do not reassure everyone given the explosive context.
An Exceptional Safety Device
To guard against any overflow, the authorities have planned a security system of unprecedented scale. No less than 2,500 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized to supervise the meeting in and around the Stade de France. Plainclothes police officers will also be deployed in the stands to prevent any incidents.
The first rows, closest to the pitch, will remain empty of spectators to avoid invasion of the pitch. The Israeli players' hotel will also be placed under close surveillance. CRS companies will crisscross the entire capital in parallel.
The FFF and Deschamps Between Embarrassment and Firmness
On the side of the French Football Federation and the Blues staff, the unease is palpable. Coach Didier Deschamps does not hide his skepticism: “Playing this match in these conditions, I don't know if it was the best solution. What I can tell you is that it must remain a football match, without ignoring the very tense context.”
Philippe Diallo, interim president of the FFF, is on the same line as the authorities. There is no question of giving in to pressure by relocating an international meeting. A message of firmness, despite calls from associations such as “Stop Genocide” which carried out strong actions to demand the cancellation of the meeting.
A Match Under the Specter of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Beyond sport, this France-Israel crystallizes all the tensions linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The recent deployment of a “Free Palestine” banner by the Parisian ultras before PSG-Atlético is the symbol of this. According to a source close to the matter, the Israeli army swore to “destroy Hamas” after the deadly attack of October 7 which left more than 1,200 victims, the majority of them civilians.
In retaliation, Israel launched a devastating offensive in Gaza which caused the deaths of more than 43,000 people, mainly civilians according to the Hamas Ministry of Health. A bloodbath which cannot leave one indifferent and inevitably comes to mind a few days from a seemingly uneventful football match.
A Kick-Off Under High Surveillance
Despite this difficult context, the authorities want to be reassuring. No direct threat to the meeting has been identified at this stage. Supporters, players and staff will be searched and escorted with the greatest care until kick-off. The police are on a war footing to ensure that football does not give way to the demons of geopolitics.
The fact remains that this France-Israel meeting will go down in history. Less for the sporting spectacle than for the fears and tensions it arouses. A sad signal for the king of sport, once again overtaken by a context that goes beyond it. Let's hope that the green rectangle will, for the duration of a match, keep the violence of the world at bay. Response on November 14 at the Stade de France, under the worried eyes of an alert public opinion.
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