2023-10-18 00:31:46
90 kilometers separate Brussels from Lille, which is hosting the France-Scotland friendly match this Tuesday evening (9 p.m., TF1). So, obviously, the attack that occurred the day before, on the fringes of Belgium-Sweden and which left two dead, fuels the discussions. In the streets, on public transport, and around the stadium where 50,000 people are expected, including 1,700 Scottish supporters, everyone is thinking about it. “It’s a tragic event. Obviously, we think about it. We come from Le Havre, 3 hours from here, we are afraid that it will happen to us, confides Aymerick, 25 years old, accompanied by his friend William, 27 years old. We even thought that the match would have been canceled, he said, but our host at the Airbnb reassured us by telling us that security was tight. »
Four CRS companies (around 200 men) and two mobile gendarmerie companies (around a hundred) are mobilized, as well as the RAID present on site. At each metro station, on the platforms and inside, heavily armed police are there to ensure the safety of spectators. Traffic remains fluid. No crowd movement. No psychosis either for Frédéric, Thierry, Jean-Michel and Jimmy, members of the Artistade57 group, in Metz (Moselle), approved by the Federation and who follows all the Blues matches.
The security system having been reinforced, the flow of spectators was slowed down and the organizers decided to postpone the kick-off to 9:10 p.m. Nothing to dampen enthusiasm. Everyone is patient.
“I was at the Stade de France (November 13, 2015) during the Paris attacks. I’m thinking about it, Frédéric admits, but we’re not going to stop ourselves from living for that. This morning, we drove through Belgium, we had no problem. We don’t want to be victims of their bullshit! »
Raymond, a Scottish supporter, arrived three hours before kick-off on the square with his son. The opportunity to breathe in the atmosphere as he usually does. “I can imagine the bad memories that this awakens among the French, but I am not frightened. We will sing as always to encourage our team. » “There is still a little apprehension, for Cédric and his daughters, Cléa and Lilou. “We live 14 km from Arras, my daughter is 5 minutes from the Gambetta school where the teacher was murdered. In addition, yesterday (Monday) there was this attack in Brussels… It’s hard to remain indifferent but I think that security is well reinforced, this allows us to be more peaceful”, summarizes the father who was able to come across some supporters playing La Marseillaise on the bagpipes. All day long, the bars were a hit. On the Grand’Place, or near the two Lille train stations, traditional kilts and blue jerseys have invaded the terraces. A pre-match almost like any other. Under great escort all the same.
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