The NFL says its first-ever regular-season game in France will go ahead as planned this weekend, even as riots and civil unrest continue to disrupt parts of Paris.
The Saints-Steelers matchup is set for October 25 at the Stade de France. In a statement issued Sunday night and reported by AFP, the league said: “Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday. 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 announcement comes as leftist protesters have taken to the streets of Paris and other French cities over a range of grievances, with rioters setting cars ablaze at the Canal Saint Martin on October 17. French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly called for calm.
According to AFP, the Saints plan to travel to Paris immediately after their game against the New York Giants in New Jersey on Sunday, then practice in the French capital throughout the week. The Steelers, who faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, plan to stay home for practice and arrive in France just 24 hours before kickoff.
The Saints issued their own statement backing the league’s decision. “We concur with the NFL’s statement and are planning to play the game,” said Greg Bensel, the team’s senior vice president of communications, as reported by NOLA.com.
“In addition to working closely with the NFL, we have also maintained daily security updates with our security partners in France. 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.”
The Paris matchup will add to a growing list of international NFL games — 62 regular-season contests have now been played outside the United States, in cities including London, Berlin, Munich, Madrid, São Paulo, Mexico City, Toronto and Dublin.
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