Fans argue on stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
A brief scuffle broke in the crowd when France took on Israel in a Nations League match that required high security after violence erupted in Amsterdam in connection with Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv’s visit for a Europa League match.
The altercation took place in the top section of the stand behind one of the goals with reports saying some of the fans involved had Israeli flags draped over their backs. It’s still unclear what caused the fight but security intervention nipped it at its bud before it could become a bigger issue.
In the match, France drew 0-0 with Israel in a match which had around 150 Israel supporters among a crowd of 16,611 inside the 80,000-capacity Stade de France.
The draw was enough to secure France a top-two finish in its group along with Italy, which beat Belgium 1-0 away thanks to Sandro Tonali’s 11th-minute goal. They advance to the quarterfinals in March, from which the lineup of the Final Four mini-tournament in June will be determined.
Germany and Spain were the first two nations to qualify for the quarterfinals in October.
Football took a back seat to security for the France-Israel match, with Paris authorities having been on high alert after last week’s incidents in Amsterdam where assaults on Maccabi fans sparked outrage and were widely condemned as antisemitic.
Some 4,000 police officers and security staff were deployed in and around the Stade de France, and the vast number of empty seats made for an eerie atmosphere at a match attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Israel’s national anthem was whistled by some fans and Israel players were jeered at times when they got the ball, but the visitors held firm for their first point in qualifying against a France team again lacking a cutting edge without Kylian Mbappé.
Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz saved well from Randal Kolo Muani, Warren Zaïre-Emery and Christopher Nkunku, while veteran midfielder N’Golo Kanté — France’s captain in the ongoing absence of Mbappé — dragged a shot wide.
“There’s frustration and also anger, because we didn’t play well,” France defender Jules Kounde said.
(With agency inputs)
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