NFL Says Paris Game Still on as French Protests Escalate
Unrest has grown in France in recent days.
The NFL announced on Sunday that the Saints-Steelers game in Paris next weekend will proceed as scheduled despite escalating civil unrest and violence in France. "We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters," the league stated to Front Office Sports. "There's been no disruption or impact at league sites."
The game is set for Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time (2:30 p.m. Paris time) at Stade de France in Paris, marking the NFL's first regular season match in France. The French government described the recent violence as an "escalation in violence." At least 1,200 people were arrested on Saturday during ongoing protests, which the BBC reported involved an estimated 550,000 people.
Demonstrations have been triggered by concerns over the cost of living and education spending cuts. Footage from Paris shows police deploying tear gas and a water cannon against crowds.
Last week, the NFL had stated the Paris game would go ahead as planned, making it the sixth of nine international matches on the league's 2023 schedule. The Jaguars and Texans played in London last Sunday, marking the third consecutive Sunday with an NFL game in the capital. Prior to that, the Rams and 49ers played in Melbourne, while the Cowboys and Ravens played in Rio de Janeiro. This season, the NFL also has fixtures in Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City.
Written by urgent.news from Front Office Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
