NFL proceeds with Paris game as protests roil France

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 23:20 · Archive

The NFL is proceeding with its first game in France between Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints on Sunday despite violent protests across the country.

The NFL is proceeding with its first game in France between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France on Sunday, despite violent protests across the country. More than 500,000 people marched over the weekend, with some protests turning violent as demonstrators looted and vandalised businesses, attacked police officers and set fires. The unrest began last month when high school and university students protested poor school facilities, teacher shortages and lack of funding.

Dani Watt, a retired NWSL player and wife of Steelers linebacker TJ Watt, questioned the decision on Instagram, reposting an NFL statement about continuing with the game and asking, 'Tell me how this makes sense???' The NFL said in a statement that it continues to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters, and is providing the two clubs with regular updates. A Saints executive said the team concurs with the NFL's decision and is planning to play the game, maintaining daily security updates with French security partners.

How it is being reported

• TJ Watt's wife breaks ranks with NFL march toward Paris game questioning how playing there makes senseDani Watt questioned the NFL's decision to play the Steelers-Saints game in France amid Paris unrest, posting a blunt challenge on her Instagram story.Fox News · 21 Oct, 00:21
• NFL ramps up security operation for Paris game... as Steelers star TJ Watt's wife calls out league for not moving game after violent protestsThe league's first ever game in France is taking place against a backdrop of violence and anarchy after protests turned ugly in cities across the country. It was France's worst civil unrest in years.Daily Mail Sport · 20 Oct, 22:58
• TJ Watt’s wife questions why NFL is still holding Paris game amid unrestSteelers linebacker TJ Watt's wife, Dani, couldn't make sense of the NFL's decision to go through with its first international game in Paris between Pittsburgh and the New Orleans Saints on Sunday amid violent protests in France.New York Post · 20 Oct, 20:51

In this story: TJ Watt · Dani Watt · Pittsburgh Steelers · New Orleans Saints · NFL · France · Paris

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