By Vincent Daheron and Amy Tennery
PARIS/NEW YORK, Oct 22 (Reuters) – The Pittsburgh Steelers cancelled a weekend fan event in Paris on Thursday as French authorities prepared for fresh protests ahead of the NFL’s first regular-season game in the capital.
France experienced some of its worst urban unrest in years last weekend, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to tighten curbs on protests on Thursday, amid fears that demonstrations planned for Saturday could turn violent.
The Steelers face the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis on Sunday, around 10 kilometres from the Place de la Bastille, where Saturday’s protests are expected to begin.
The Steelers informed fans on Thursday that a “Steelers House” fan event in the Bastille neighbourhood would not go forward.
“The NFL, as they do for every game, including international games, is working closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. As stated by the NFL, there have been no disruptions or impacts at League sites,” the team said in a statement.
“As a precautionary measure, the Steelers designated bar that had been planned in Bastille – an area that has experienced recent disruptions – will not proceed.”
The Saints were practising this week in Versailles after arriving in France on Monday, while the Steelers were reportedly travelling to Paris on Thursday evening.
“A lot of planning, a lot of extra conversations,” Steelers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Wednesday. “Just because all the state of what surrounds the game.”
The French Interior Ministry was due to hold a press conference on Friday to outline security measures for the protests on Saturday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters on Wednesday that he had been in contact with the US Secretary of State regarding security plans.
“We’re continuing to make sure we have all available information, make sure the appropriate steps are being made,” said Goodell. “We’re guests in the country. We’re going to be good guests.”
The Paris game is one of a record nine international contests for the NFL this season, as the league looks to capitalise on lucrative overseas markets.
League officials sought to ease concerns at a two-day owners meeting in New York this week, and told reporters that staging the game would not divert local security forces from other duties.
(Reporting by Vincent Daheron in Paris and Amy Tennery in New YorkEditing by Toby Davis)
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