NFL Increases Security for Steelers-Saints in Paris After Week of Riots in France
Update: the Steelers arrived Friday, Aaron Rodgers said "if it was unsafe, then I'm sure we wouldn't be here," and the U.S. State Department warned Americans attending the game about planned protests on Saturday.
The NFL will heighten security for Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at Stade de France after a weekend of riots in Paris and other French cities. "There's nothing more important from our standpoint than the teams' security, the fans' security," executive vice president Peter O'Reilly said.
What happened in France?
Rioters clashed with police, set cars on fire, stormed public buildings and set a historic city hall ablaze in the country's worst civil unrest in years, with about 2,400 arrests, while hundreds of thousands marched peacefully over living costs and school conditions. No specific threat against the game has been reported.
What is the league doing?
Coordinating with Paris and national authorities and the U.S. State Department, with security chief Cathy Lanier on the ground and planning described as hour by hour. O'Reilly said the game was never in danger of being moved and that the league is confident it is not drawing resources away from where they are needed. The Saints flew to Paris directly after beating the Giants and are practicing there; the Steelers will arrive closer to kickoff.
What has happened since?
Roger Goodell said he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that "we've made all the preparations." The State Department issued an alert Thursday that "numerous groups submitted plans for protests on Saturday, October 24," and urged Americans at the game to stay cautious. A weekend Steelers fan event was canceled over security concerns. The Steelers flew overnight and arrived Friday; their outdoor practice at Stade de France was canceled because of wind and rain. "I definitely think that the NFL is alert to what's going on," Aaron Rodgers said. "If it was unsafe, then I'm sure we wouldn't be here." The Saints are practicing in Versailles.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: NFL to increase security in Paris for Steelers-Saints game
- ESPN: Steelers' Aaron Rodgers backs NFL on holding Paris game despite recent unrest
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