Tensions in the stands during France-Israel. Clashes broke out shortly after a quarter of an hour of play in the Nations League match between the two selections, played Thursday evening at the Stade de France in a very tense security context. The altercation took place in the intermediate ring of the enclosure, where there were side by side a group of French supporters and another of supporters of the Israeli team.
Several videos show a crowd movement triggered by a fight, the scale of which is difficult to guess in the sequences. We see the Blues supporters retreating in front of several dozen Israel supporters running in their direction. Other videos, shot from the stands, show a confused scene, punctuated by numerous shouts, and greeted by whistles from spectators in the lower part.
A witness told Le Parisien that he saw hooded people running towards the group of French supporters after “provocations” from spectators in the French ranks. These Israeli supporters, located outside the dedicated parking lot located on the other side of the Stade de France, called to “release the hostages”, referring to the people kidnapped during the attacks which hit the Hebrew state on October 7, 2023.
Some whistles during the Israeli anthem
The stewards then intervened to separate, via a double security cordon, the two groups involved in the confrontation. A video also shows police officers bursting into the stands. Calm gradually returned to the Stade de France, where the two teams finished the first period with a score of 0-0. Before kick-off, a few whistles were heard during the Israeli anthem.
4,000 police officers and gendarmes are mobilized this Thursday evening to ensure the security of the match, as well as in transport. President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Michel Barnier are present, as are many political figures, like the two former tenants of the Élysée François Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.
