Clashes Erupt During France-Israel Match at Stade de France
Tensions flared during the France-Israel football match held at the Stade de France in Paris, leading to clashes between fans in the stands. The match, which was attended by between 12,000 to 25,000 spectators, saw security measures heightened due to the event being classified as high risk. Reports indicate that the atmosphere was initially calm, bolstered by a significant police presence of 4,000 officers and gendarmes.
However, during the first half of the game, incidents broke out, particularly in the section behind the goal defended by French goalkeeper Mike Maignan, where Israeli supporters were gathered. In response to the escalating situation, stewards quickly intervened, establishing a security cordon to separate the conflicting groups. Fortunately, calm was restored before the start of the second half, and the match continued without interruption.
The heightened security measures were implemented in light of recent violence associated with a Maccabi Tel-Aviv match in Amsterdam, reflecting the tense climate surrounding this fixture. The presence of Israeli flags among some supporters further underscored the charged atmosphere of the event.
