NEW YORK – Even with the French demonstrating every ounce of “liberté,” the NFL is full steam ahead for the league’s first-ever game in France set for Sunday, Oct. 25, in Paris.
“We’re confident in our operational and security plans,” NFL vice president for international and club business Peter O’Reilly said during the league’s fall meeting Tuesday Oct. 20.
The league and participating teams – the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers – have maintained that they were comfortable with traveling there despite the unrest from large-scale anti-government protests that devolved into rioting across the country, particularly Paris. More than 2,000 people were arrested for participating in the violence. On Oct. 19, French Prime Minister Sébastien
Lecornu announced that he asked regional authorities to enforce partial curfews in the evening.
NFL chief security officer Cathy Lanier is on the ground in France and the league is confident in its plans to keep players, staffs and personnel safe. The NFL was "never close" to consider moving the game, O'Reilly said.
"Extremely vigilant, as we always are," O'Reilly said.
The NFL is working in close partnership with security at Stade de France, which was the focal point of the 2024 Summer Olympics in the city, O'Reilly said. Asked whether the league is concerned that its security requirements take away from broader resources needed by authorities in France, O'Reilly said the NFL was confident it would not deplete resources.
O'Reilly also noted other major events taking place in Paris, such as Art Basel and Paris Saint-Germain hosting Barcelona in a Champions League match.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL gives security update ahead of France debut amid protests
