- Protests and tensions surround France-Israel football match in Paris
- Hundreds protested near the Stade de France
- Only 13,000 tickets were sold
- Many banners referred to a UN report released the same day that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza
Protests and tensions surround France-Israel football match in Paris
Hundreds protested near the Stade de France on Thursday as France hosted Israel in a UEFA Nations League match. The game, held under tight security, came amid heightened tensions following recent clashes in Amsterdam between Israeli football fans and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
Protesters in Saint-Denis, just two kilometres from the stadium, criticised France for hosting the game and denounced the attendance of President Emmanuel Macron. Many banners referred to a UN report released the same day that accused Israel of genocide in Gaza.
Inside the stadium, security remained strict, but rival fans clashed briefly, and some whistled during Israel’s national anthem. Due to security concerns and many fans boycotting the game, only 13,000 tickets were sold – the lowest attendance for any home match in the history of the French national team.