The NFL is monitoring the street violence in France with no current plan to move its first-ever game in the country scheduled for next Sunday just north of Paris, but a league source said that could change if events warrant playing in a different venue.
Street violence erupted across France on Saturday when peaceful marches of 500,000 to 800,000 people, according to reports, devolved into masked groups clashing with police, looting businesses and setting fire to private property and public buildings, including the historic city hall in Limoges.
Reports on Sunday cited arrests climbing from 1,000 to 1,800, including 855 in the Paris region.
The violence in France has gotten the attention of governments worldwide, including the United States.
President Donald Trump posted on Sunday morning on Truth Social that “France is burning” and that “people with hatred in their hearts” have “shattered that once great country.”
That potentially affects the NFL because it is scheduled to play at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis just north of Paris next Sunday when the New Orleans Saints “host” the Pittsburgh Steelers in a regular season game.
The NFL’s official position on the game is that it is a go.
“Preparations continue as scheduled for the NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday,” the league said in a statement provided to OutKick and Fox News Digital on Sunday.
“We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates. There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.”
The league source did add, however, that if the situation were to become untenable, a venue change could be made.
In the meantime, both teams are going forward with their plans to play in France, although the Steelers have a wider window for changing their plans.
The Saints confirmed on Sunday they are boarding their plane to leave for France following their game with the New York Giants. The club is scheduled to arrive in France early Monday morning.
That reflects no change by the Saints since they first announced plans for the trip, according to Saints executive vice president and general manager Mickey Loomis.
The Steelers are making their game preparations in the United States before leaving for France on Thursday, per the club.
The team is planning to arrive in France on Friday morning. They plan to go directly to Stade de France for a practice at 9:30 a.m. local time.
The Saints and Steelers have previously shown the requisite amount of excitement about playing the league’s inaugural France game.
“Louisiana’s relationship with France is centuries deep, and this game represents another meaningful step in strengthening those cultural and economic ties,” Saints owner Gayle Benson said in a statement announcing the game.
Moving Sunday’s scheduled game in France back to New Orleans would require some work. The Caesers Superdome is booked on Oct. 25 for an event.
Acrisure Stadium, where the Steelers play their home games, is not scheduled to hold an event that day.