“They’ll be here in five minutes!” » The police stiffen, while the message broadcast on the radio resonates along the road leading to the stadium gate. The siren of the police motorcyclist leading the way approaches. Behind, two buses flanked by several cars, responsible for the safety of the journey, enter directly into the parking lot. It’s 10.20am, the first convoy of the Israeli national team has just arrived at the Val-d’Oise stadium which will host training on Tuesday morning, two days before the Nations League match against the Blues on Thursday evening (8.45pm).
For security reasons, the media have been asked not to reveal the precise location where the players of the Jewish State are carrying out their session, the day after their arrival on French soil at Roissy airport. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to see from the street the lawn where Ran Ben Shimon’s players are preparing for the match against the Tricolores. The stadium chosen by the authorities is placed under an imposing security bubble, due to the very tense context surrounding the match.
The police force around the complex is impressive. Four CRS vans are waiting in front of one of the entrances. Police officers, assault rifles drawn, patrol between each entrance. Others are equipped with defense ball launchers. In the sky, a gendarmerie helicopter flies over the scene to get an overview of this training which took place in a stadium transformed into an entrenched camp, where few can enter.
A press point, to which several journalists from the Israeli federation and the Israeli embassy in Paris had been invited, was finally canceled at the last minute at the request of the authorities. In front of the entrance the police ask to see the press passes and an identity document of each media representative. Instructions are provided not to film or take photos of the stadium. The curious quickly move away.
The Raid accompanies the Israeli selection
“I live right next door, I was wondering what was going on when I saw this whole police parade this morning,” said Dominique, a local resident. Then later, when I saw them taking place in and around the football stadium, I finally understood what it was all about. I understand the precautions, I hope no one comes to attack them who are only there to play football. »
The sentiments of the Israeli delegation were then leaked in statements filmed by the federation and broadcast to various media, including Le Parisien. “We are very excited about the idea of going to play at the Stade de France,” explains Paris-born defensive midfielder Ethane Azoulay in French. The sensations are very good, safety does its job to the maximum, we have our heads on the ground. We focus on the match. We only think about football, not too much about what’s around it. »
“We feel safe here, France is an incredible country,” says his coach, Ran Ben Shimon. We are truly surrounded by security, it allows us to focus on the sport and nothing else. »
According to the Israeli federation, no further training was scheduled for this Tuesday for the 81st team in the Fifa ranking, defeated (1-4) by Didier Deschamps’ men in the first leg in October in Budapest. The next session is scheduled for Wednesday at the Stade de France, as usual during national selection meetings, to familiarize ourselves with the venue.
The delegation of the Jewish State, followed by the Raid during its stay in France, settled in a hotel in the Paris region whose location was not filtered, again for security reasons. Between 100 and 150 Israeli supporters are expected in the car park of the Saint-Denis stadium on Thursday evening. The venue, which can accommodate 80,000 spectators, is expected to have a maximum of 20,000 spectators for this match with very tight security.
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Rachel Cohen, Security Analyst and Expert on International Sports Events
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Cohen! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the extraordinary security measures surrounding the Israeli national team’s training ahead of their Nations League match against France. It’s quite a scene at the Val-d’Oise stadium.
Dr. Rachel Cohen: Thank you for having me! It’s definitely an unprecedented situation that highlights the intersection of sports and security in today’s world.
Time.news Editor: Just to set the scene, we saw a convoy of police escorting the Israeli team into the stadium, complete with, as described, an “impressive police force” and aerial surveillance by helicopters. What do you make of this level of security for a football training session?
Dr. Rachel Cohen: This kind of security is primarily a response to the heightened tensions surrounding international relationships, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict involving Israel. Such precautions, including armed officers and restricted media access, demonstrate a significant concern for the safety of the players and the broader implications of their presence in France.
Time.news Editor: Right, and what was particularly notable was the request from authorities for the media not to disclose the training location. How typical is this in similar situations?
Dr. Rachel Cohen: It’s not entirely uncommon for authorities to impose restrictions on media coverage during politically sensitive events. However, the scale of these measures—especially when involving a national team—signals a deeper awareness of potential threats. The safety of the athletes is paramount, and keeping specific details under wraps is a strategic part of risk management.
Time.news Editor: Residents nearby had mixed feelings about the heavy police presence—some expressed understanding of the precautions. How do such situations often affect local communities?
Dr. Rachel Cohen: Local responses can vary significantly. While some might sympathize and understand the necessity for security, others may feel a sense of disruption or anxiety about the implications of such protective measures. It’s a delicate balance; on one hand, the community wants to support their national teams, but on the other, they also have legitimate concerns about the tension it brings to their neighborhood.
Time.news Editor: Given the presence of security forces and the cancellation of a planned press point, how do you think these measures affect the media’s engagement with sporting events?
Dr. Cohen: It complicates things considerably. In an ideal scenario, journalists would have the opportunity to engage freely with athletes and provide in-depth insights to fans. However, the cancellation of press events and limits on reporting not only restricts information flow but can also affect public sentiment. It makes it harder to foster a sense of community around the event when there’s a fortress-like atmosphere.
Time.news Editor: Moving forward, do you think we can expect to see more stringent security measures in international sporting events, particularly involving contentious nations?
Dr. Cohen: Absolutely. As global politics continues to fluctuate, we’ll likely see an uptick in security protocols at sporting events, not just for players but also for attendees. Organizers will need to evolve with the times to ensure safety while still making events accessible. The challenge will be to maintain the celebratory spirit of sport, even amidst these security concerns.
Time.news Editor: It’s a fascinating yet sobering outlook. Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Cohen. It’s clear that the world of sports is influenced by many external factors beyond the game itself.
Dr. Rachel Cohen: Thank you for having me! It’s an important discussion as we navigate the complexities of international sports today.
Time.news Editor: And with that, we’ll keep watching how this situation develops as the match approaches. Thank you to our viewers for tuning in!