Paris to deploy 4,000 police officers for France vs. Israel football match

(Patria) - Paris police announced yesterday that 4,000 police officers and 1,600 stadium staff will be deployed for the France vs. Israel football match to ensure security at the stadium and around the stadium, as well as on public transport, a week after violence against Israeli fans in Amsterdam, AP reported.

France and Israel will play on Thursday in a UEFA Nations League match which will be attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, the Elysée Presidential Palace announced.

The Israeli National Security Council warned citizens abroad in a statement on Sunday to avoid sports and cultural events, especially the match in Paris, and to be cautious of violent attacks “under the guise of demonstrations”.

“There is a context, tensions that make this match a very risky event for us,” said Paris police chief Laurent Nuñez, adding that authorities “will not tolerate” any violence.

He said that around the Stade de France stadium, north of the French capital, 2,500 police officers will be deployed, in addition to another 1,500 in Paris and on public transport.

There will be an anti-terrorist security perimeter around the stadium, he said. Security checks will be “reinforced,” he added, including systematic checks and bag searches.

He said that French organizers had been in contact with Israeli authorities and security forces to prepare for the match.