Tight security in Paris stadium, in France-Sweden match nearly a year after attacks

Record ID: 79268

  • Title: Tight security in Paris stadium, in France-Sweden match nearly a year after attacks
  • Date: 11th November 2016
  • Summary: SAINT-DENIS, FRANCE (NOVEMBER 11, 2016) (REUTERS) SPECTATORS WAITING IN FRONT OF STADE DE FRANCE SECURITY AGENTS SEARCHING SUPPORTERS POLICE OFFICERSS IN FRONT OF STADIUM POLICE VANS PARKED AROUND STADIUM VARIOUS OF SECURITY PERSONNEL SEARCHING SPECTATORS' CARS ARMED POLICE OFFICER AND SECURITY PERSONNEL DIRECTING TRAFFIC SECURITY PERSONNEL SEARCHING SPECTATORS' CARS AT ENTRANCE OF PARKING (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH SUPPORTER FROM TOWN OF VALENCIENNES IN NORTHERN FRANCE, JEREMY, SAYING: "It's not the same atmosphere. In the beginning, we did not really feel like coming here. Symbolically, I wanted to come and be a part of the match and share in what happened. We want to see how it goes and I think that now we're confident. We want to forget about it and see if all goes well." VARIOUS OF SECURITY PERSONNEL CHECKING TICKETS AT ENTRANCE (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH SUPPORTER FROM TOWN OF VALENCIENNES IN NORTHERN FRANCE, JEAN-PHILIPPE, SAYING: "(We must say) that we don't have to fear all this, that it is safe, that there are people doing searches all the time, that's it, we shouldn't live in fear. That's why, we need to go forward." SUPPORTERS WAITING AT ENTRANCE OF STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 26th November 2016 19:51
  • Keywords: Stade de France France Sweden November 13 police
  • Location: SAINT, DENIS, FRANCE
  • City: SAINT, DENIS, FRANCE
  • Country: France
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,International/National Security
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015801FEV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: FILE VIDEO OF THE AFTERMATH OF THE NOVEMBER 13 ATTACKS ARE IN EDIT 5092
    The French national team faced Sweden for a World Cup qualifier at the Stade de France on Friday (November 11), two days before the anniversary of the November 13 tragedy that killed 130 people.
    Security was tight outside the stadium in Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris. Police circled the area around the stadium, some heavily armed, and several police vans were on site.
    Security personnel searched vehicles and spectators, who have now come to expect heavy measures at the stadium.
    On November 13, 2015, at least eight attackers shot guns or blew explosive belts in different areas of the French capital - the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France, and several bars and restaurants.
    It was outside Stade de France where the evening's tragedy began.
    At 22:57 (21:57 GMT) of that Friday, two explosions were heard near the national stadium, where a France-Germany friendly football match was being played, with President Francois Hollande in the audience.
    Three suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the stadium, killing one man.
    The match continued until the end but panic broke out in the crowd as rumors of the attack spread, and spectators were held in the stadium and assembled spontaneously on the pitch. After the match, police guided supporters outside the stadium.
    The attacks all in all claimed the lives of 130 people and wounded more than 350 others, of whom most were young people.
    On Friday, the Euro 2016 runners-up are back in their home stadium, at the top of Group A, level with Sweden with seven points, followed by Netherlands on four.
    With only one team guaranteed a place in the 2018 finals in Russia, Friday's match could be key to the final positions in the group.
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