The U.S. Department of State (State Department) urged Americans in Paris to remain alert ahead of planned protests, while President Donald Trump questioned the NFL's plan for Sunday's Pittsburgh Steelers-New Orleans Saints game.
The NFL schedule lists the matchup at Stade de France on Sunday, Oct. 25. The Independent reported that it would be the league's first regular-season game on French soil.
In an alert late Thursday, Oct. 22, the State Department urged Americans in Paris for the game to stay alert. It cited protest plans filed for Saturday, Oct. 24, and warned that protests could occur outside planned routes.
The Independent reported that Saturday's demonstrations were planned over high living costs, following violent unrest the week before. Trump said Friday, Oct. 23, that the NFL “could have probably postponed” the game.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league consulted U.S. and French authorities on preparations and called street protests “not unusual in France.” Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said the NFL was monitoring events. “If it was unsafe, then I’m sure we wouldn’t be here,” Rodgers said.
The French league said it rescheduled Paris Saint-Germain’s match against Lyon for Monday, Oct. 26, at the request of Paris police. Steelers-Saints remains scheduled for Sunday at Stade de France.
