Italy's Daniel Maldini acknowledges the fans after their match against Israel at Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, Italy, on Monday. — Reuters
The Nations League match between France and Israel, scheduled for November 14, will take place at the Stade de France and 'will of course be open to the public', according to a Paris police announcement on Tuesday. Israel has been engaged in conflict with the Palestinian militant group Hamas since the latter carried out the deadliest attack on Israel on October 7 last year. Consequently, Israel's national team has been playing all their home games in Hungary. Their first away game in the Nations League, against Belgium, was also relocated to Hungary and played behind closed doors in Debrecen after Brussels deemed it 'impossible to organise this very high-risk match'. The Belgian football federation (RBFA) stated that it could not find a domestic alternative 'given that in Belgium, no local administration deemed it possible to organise the Red Devils' home match against Israel'.
Italy, on the other hand, decided to host Monday's Nations League match against Israel in the northern city of Udine with fans in attendance. The city was on high alert, with the area around the stadium secured by barriers, additional security checks, and a 'red zone' established 48 hours before kick-off. Despite the heightened security measures, including police from neighbouring regions and soldiers on the stadium roof, and the media's portrayal of Udine as a 'bunker city', the atmosphere around the city remained largely relaxed.
Hours before the match, pro-Palestine demonstrators—estimated by police to number around 2,000—marched through central Udine, heavily escorted by police. Inside the stadium, the majority of fans responded to weak jeers from some home fans during the pre-match Israel team announcement by applauding in support of their guests. The crowd also showed respect for Israel's national anthem, though there were some whistles and a small section of Italy supporters remained seated until their own nation's anthem.
France is currently second in Group A2 behind Italy, whom they will face in their final match. A victory over Israel would secure a place in the quarter-finals for Les Bleus.
