The Week 7 game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 25 in Paris is still scheduled as planned despite civil unrest and protests in France.
“Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday,” the NFL said in a statement. “We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates. There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.”
The Saints are planning to travel to Paris immediately after their game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday. The Steelers plan to practice in Pittsburgh before departing for France on Thursday.
The game — the first ever to be played in France — will be held north of Paris at Stade de France.
Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said the team concurs with the NFL’s statement and is planning to play.
“In addition to working closely with the NFL, we have also maintained daily security updates with our security partners in France,” Bensel said. “Members of our football operations staff and internal security team have been on the ground in France for the past few days and there has been no disruption or impact at any of our team sites.”
Police arrested at least 1,800 people across France after violent groups clashed with officers and looted shops during nationwide demonstrations that drew hundreds of thousands protesting rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.
Masked groups set fires and attacked public buildings, including city halls, in several cities on Saturday, authorities said.
President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to hold an emergency meeting with senior government officials Sunday before addressing the nation at 8 p.m. local time, his office said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: www.espn.com
