Ahead of the historic NFL regular-season game between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Stade de France on Sunday, October 25, U.S. officials and league executives have issued contrasting assessments regarding safety in Paris following recent violent protests, as reported by Paris Match.
The fixture marks the first time the league has staged a regular-season matchup in France. Yet the buildup has been complicated by unrest stemming from demonstrations on October 17. Images of property destruction, looting, and clashes with police circulated globally across media and social networks, prompting heightened security concerns among American travelers and drawing political commentary from Donald Trump.
League Executives Point to Close Coordination With French Authorities
Addressing fan anxiety on Wednesday, NFL Roger Goodell sought to calm concerns during a statement shared by CNN. He explained that NFL Paris Games organizers were in “close” contact with French authorities and that the latter had been “reassuring.” He emphasized that tournament organizers maintain a close dialogue with French law enforcement agencies, noting that local officials have provided reassuring assessments. “We have taken all the necessary arrangements,” Goodell said. Insisting: “We are in contact with the competent authorities. And you know, demonstrations are not unusual in France. I can’t wait to be there!”
France: Violence and rioting, tied to ongoing protests, have recently occurred in France and may continue. The French government has indicated they will take steps to curb "illegitimate" protests, while those organized by groups such as trade unions would be allowed to proceed.… pic.twitter.com/uqfCkkCeq9
Peter O’Reilly, the league’s head of international affairs, reinforced that message by highlighting the scale of the operations involved. “For all our events, we ensure a very significant security arrangement,” O’Reilly stated, reaffirming that the measures would be reinforced alongside local authorities to prioritize the safety of the teams, supporters, and all personnel connected to the game.
U.S. Embassy and Foreign Ministry Issue Cautionary Advisories
In contrast to the league's optimistic outlook, official U.S. diplomatic channels adopted a more cautious posture. On Thursday, the official social media account of U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner posted an infographic displaying emergency telephone numbers in France without additional commentary. This Friday, October 23, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a call to caution directed at its citizens traveling to Paris for the NFL match.
It noted that while French authorities intend to crack down on unauthorized gatherings, demonstrations organized by trade unions and other permitted groups are expected to proceed. Numerous organizations submitted plans for protests scheduled for Saturday, October 24.
The State Department cautioned that demonstrations can experience last-minute route changes and occur outside designated paths. Noting that recent protests involved severe property destruction, widespread looting, and attacks on police officers met with crowd-control tactics like tear gas, including the use of tear gas, the ministry advised travelers to steer clear of demonstrations, large crowds, and areas featuring heavy police presence, and that Americans in Paris for the Sunday, October 25 NFL game should exercise caution and stay alert to their surroundings.
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