The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are still on a collision course for Paris next week, set to kick off in France for Week 6, even as the country grapples with escalating protests that have seen at least 1,800 arrests and public buildings set ablaze. It’s the first-ever regular season NFL matchup slated for France, and right now, all eyes are on the streets, not the gridiron.
Unrest Rocks France, Raising Major Safety Questions
This isn’t just some minor disturbance, folks. Over the weekend, protests in France have blown up, driven by citizens demanding better living costs, education, and public services. We’re talking hundreds of thousands hitting the streets across the nation. What started with demands for improved school conditions and teacher shortages has spiraled into violent groups rioting, clashing with police, and setting public buildings on fire. CBS News reported at least 1,800 arrests across the country, with both protesters and law enforcement resorting to violent methods. With that kind of chaos, player, personnel, and fan safety has become the number one topic surrounding this international game. You can’t ignore that kind of heat.
The League Stands Firm, For Now
Despite all the unrest, the league isn’t flinching. The NFL released a statement last week, then a similar update on Sunday, basically saying “preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday.” They’re telling us they’re working “closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters” and providing regular updates to both clubs. The word from the league is there’s been “no disruption or impact at league sites.” Saints executive Greg Bensel echoed that, adding that the team is planning to play and has been getting daily security updates from their partners in France. He confirmed members of their football operations and internal security teams have been on the ground, and there’s been “no disruption or impact at any of our team sites.” The Saints are scheduled to leave Sunday night and practice in France all week. It’s a bold move, playing chicken with that level of social unrest.
What’s at Stake for the Game
This Week 6 matchup is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET, which is 2:30 p.m. local time in Paris. While the league and the Saints are locked into their current plan, let’s be real: the NFL has changed games before due to things like weather or field conditions. So, it’s not totally impossible this game could move, even if they aren’t planning on it right now. The Saints are technically the home team for this one, so if it did get moved, New Orleans would be the obvious landing spot. But for now, get ready for an NFL game unlike any other, with massive security concerns and protests as the backdrop. It’s a situation you gotta watch closely right up to kickoff.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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