The NFL said security will be heightened for the game in Paris between the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints on Sunday after civil unrest engulfed the French capital last weekend. Executive VP of club business, international and league events Peter O'Reilly said officials are collaborating with Parisian and national authorities overseas, along with the U.S. State Department. League officials, including senior VP of security Cathy Lanier, have been on the ground in France.
"There's nothing more important from our standpoint than the teams' security, the fans' security -- everybody involved with this game," O'Reilly said at the league's annual fall owners meeting. "Obviously being very vigilant in everything we do, in all of our planning on an hour-by-hour basis, working closely with the two teams."
O'Reilly said the game was never in danger of not being played at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. He cited other sporting events ongoing in the city, including a Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona on Tuesday night. "We feel confident that we would not have any impact on the broader resources needed," he said.
Rioters clashed with police, set cars on fire and engulfed a historic city hall in flames in France's worst civil unrest in years. About 2,400 people were arrested over the weekend, and authorities said thousands of businesses were damaged or looted. The Saints traveled directly to Paris after playing the New York Giants and are practicing in the area this week. With the collective bargaining agreement allowing up to 10 international games, O'Reilly said that number is being considered for next season, when there are a record nine on the schedule this year.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing