President Donald Trump criticized the NFL on Friday for moving forward with its upcoming regular-season contest in Paris, suggesting the league should have called off or delayed the matchup amid widespread civil unrest across France.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump voiced concern about security conditions surrounding Sunday’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France.
“I think maybe it’s looking like tomorrow is going to be a bad day in France. So you worry about it. I would have said the NFL could have probably postponed that match, if you want to know the truth. Because France is really in trouble,” Trump said, according to Fox News.
Trump also pointed to political ideology when discussing the unrest overseas, telling reporters that the turmoil is “what happens when you go left” and policy allows entry to large numbers of people from hostile nations, Front Office Sports reported.
French Authorities Face Strained Security Resources
France has experienced turbulent demonstrations in recent days that began as student demonstrations over school conditions before intensifying into broader anti-government protests. Last weekend alone, unrest resulted in property destruction at nearly 1,500 commercial establishments and more than 2,400 arrests, according to The New York Times.
The strain on municipal law enforcement prompted Paris police to order the postponement of a major Paris Saint-Germain soccer match against Lyon originally scheduled for Sunday night. Authorities cited stretched security personnel as mass demonstrations continue and curfews remain in effect. Several cultural sites in the French capital, including the Louvre, also announced weekend closures.
An administrative court overturned an official ban on a planned Paris protest after organizers challenged the restriction in court, the Associated Press reported via Fox News. Protest organizers agreed to keep demonstrations stationary to minimize the chance of confrontations.
The NFL Pushes Ahead
Despite rising tensions, league leaders have repeatedly stated that the contest will proceed as planned with enhanced safety protocols in place.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league’s preparations earlier in the week, expressing high confidence in coordination with both French authorities and American diplomats. Goodell noted that he consulted directly with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding conditions on the ground. Rubio told OutKick and Fox News that the U.S. Embassy in Paris determined the event would remain secure.
Goodell, along with Saints owner Gayle Benson and Steelers owner Art Rooney II, met Friday at the Élysée Palace with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss the event and the league’s future growth in France, according to an announcement by the Saints.
While the NFL confirmed its official fan activities would go forward, the Steelers canceled an independent team gathering in the Bastille neighborhood as a precautionary move. The family of Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt had earlier voiced skepticism on social media about holding the contest during violent demonstrations.
Sunday’s matchup marks the first time the NFL has staged a regular-season game in France. With both squads already in the country, kickoff remains slated for Sunday, while French law enforcement prepares for continued demonstrations across the metropolitan area throughout the weekend.
