In a Stade de France that will ring empty, Didier Deschamps’ Blues will meet the Israeli team this Thursday (8.45pm) during the 5th day of the Nations League.
7.44pm
Some journalists blocked at the entrance to the stadium for “security reasons”
As part of the security measures at the Stade de France, some journalists were reportedly prevented from entering the enclosure.
«So this evening the police headquarters refuses the entry of some journalists for France-Israel for “security” reasons, without providing further explanations. Where are we really?” writes L’Equipe journalist Loïc Tanzi on his X account.
7.40pm
Moments of contemplation in front of the stele of Manuel Dias
Some fans present on Thursday evening at the Stade de France pay their respects in front of the stele of Manuel Dias, who died on 13 November 2015. Flowers have been laid for several days.
Present at the stadium, the French fans were “reassured” by the police system
Leo and Hugo (25 years old) who come from Vannes for the match: “ It’s our first match at the Stade de France, we bought the tickets 3 weeks ago. When we saw the events in Amsterdam, we had doubts. But we don’t want to stop living. Fear shouldn’t stop us from doing things. The police reassured us and we still wanted to see the Blues. »
(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)
France-Israel: stakes, bad memories, explosive context… Five questions about a high-tension match
The stakes, the precedents between the two teams, the context of the Stade de France, the captain of the Blues, the risky match… Everything you need to know before the match of the fifth day of the Nations League between France and Israel this Thursday.
Some factories are open, just outside the security perimeter
Some establishments have chosen to open. No bans, they’re just outside the perimeter. It’s not the crowd…
6.48pm
Images of the demonstration for Palestine
Pro-Palestinian demonstration underway not far from the Stade de France.
IAN LANGSDON / AFP
Mass mobilization in Saint-Denis.
IAN LANGSDON / AFP
“Stop the genocide” banner.
Stephane Mahe / REUTERS
As expected, dozens of Palestine supporters gathered not far from the Stade de France, on the Place du Front Populaire, at the intersection of Saint-Denis and Aubervilliers. They contest the holding of this France-Israel match.
Thirty minutes before the stadium doors open to the public, few people wait patiently. For France-Israel, 15,000 to 20,000 spectators are expected this evening.
(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)
In what context did Israel play its matches during the Olympic football tournament?
The question isn’t so much who will start in attack, whether the Blues will win or what Kylian Mbappé’s absence implies. This Thursday evening, at the Stade de France, fans, observers and perhaps even the players will ask themselves: will the Israeli team’s welcome go well? The war in the Middle East, an extremely delicate and complex topic, raises great concern in view of a football match with related sporting stakes. A sensation already present at the dawn of the Paris Olympic Games this summer…
Night has fallen on the Stade de France
In approximately 45 minutes, the gates of the enclosure should open to welcome the expected 20,000 supporters (maximum).
The Stade de France lit up.
BERTRAND GUAY/AFP
Israel calls on France to guarantee the safety of its supporters
Israeli diplomatic chief Gideon Saar on Thursday asked France to guarantee the safety of Israeli supporters in Paris tonight. “The safety of Israeli fans must be guaranteed», according to a press release from his services, Mr. Saar declared to his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot during their first telephone conversation, a week after the clashes that took place on the sidelines of another match in Amsterdam.
(AFP)
“We will not give in to anti-Semitism,” declares Emmanuel Macron three hours before kick-off
«We will not give in to anti-Semitism anywhere and violence, even in the French Republic, will never prevail, nor will intimidation.“, Head of State Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday BFMTV a few hours before the risky France-Israel football match, to which he will go in the evening at the Stade de France, on the outskirts of Paris.
(AFP)
Emmanuel Macron.Manon Cruz / REUTERS
As expected, all shops and restaurants are closed from 3.45pm. The police forces are on site and very few members of the public are present at the moment. Employees of surrounding companies are returning home. Gloomy atmosphere in Saint-Denis.
The security system surrounding the football match between France and Israel this Thursday evening at the Stade de France (kick-off at 8.45pm) will be extremely strengthened. No fewer than 4,000 police officers and gendarmes will be mobilized. They will be able to count on the
Read Figaro’s review: France-Israel match: will Israeli police help protect the match?
“Zero risk does not exist”: high tension before the France-Israel match, while the anti-Semitic threat grows
“It will be a high-risk match” : Laurent Nuñez does not hide the threats hovering over the France-Israel football match this Thursday evening at the Stade de France (kick-off at 8.45pm). Summon « an extremely reinforced device », « very unusual » for an international match, the Paris police chief announced the deployment of 4,000 police officers and gendarmes. In detail, around 2,500 members of the police should be mobilized around the sports facility, with the support of around ten sections of intervention companies and 70 members of the motorized brigades specialized in the repression of violent actions (BRAV-M), ready to intervene remove any disruptors who have come to sow chaos.
5.28pm
Dead calm near the Stade de France
Just under four hours before kick-off between France and Israel (8.45pm), the surroundings of the Stade de France are, predictably, very quiet. The police are on site. Please note that entry into the enclosure is authorized to the public from 6.45pm.
(Baptiste Desprez at the Stade de France)
Dead calm near the Stade de France.Battista Desprez
5.27pm
A pro-Palestinian demonstration is planned for 6pm.
Before the doors of the Stade de France open, a pro-Palestinian demonstration is expected to take place at 6pm on the Place du Front Populaire, in Saint-Denis. The “Urgence Palestine” group denounces in particular the conduct of the Franco-Israeli meeting.
5.20pm
Welcome to this live broadcast!
Good morning everyone and welcome live to our Figaro website to follow the live coverage of the pre-match and then of the match between France and Israel, from 8.45pm at the Stade de France, as part of the 5th day of the Nations League. Placed under maximum security in Saint-Denis, the match should take place in a very particular context, around 20,000 fans expected (only) in the stands of the Dionysian enclosure.
How is the French government addressing concerns about safety and anti-Semitism during the match?
De France has set a tense atmosphere in Saint-Denis as the much-anticipated football match between France and Israel approaches. Supporters of Palestine have gathered nearby, voicing their opposition to the event. This protest highlights the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the match, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
With an expected turnout of 15,000 to 20,000 spectators, there is significant police presence, including the mobilization of 4,000 officers and gendarmes to ensure safety. The French government is on high alert, with President Emmanuel Macron making statements against anti-Semitism just hours before the game begins. The atmosphere is described as gloomy, with shops and restaurants closed and only a sparse crowd present in the area.
Israeli officials have urged the French government to ensure the safety of their fans, reflecting heightened concerns following violent incidents at other matches, such as one in Amsterdam. the combination of protest, security measures, and the geopolitical backdrop creates a charged environment as the match time nears.