France is preparing for an exceptionally tense day. On Tuesday, as the country’s national holiday coincides with the FIFA World Cup semi-final against Spain, as many as 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be deployed nationwide to maintain public order. Authorities have announced zero tolerance for any disturbances.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that 70,000 police officers and gendarmes will be on duty across the country on Tuesday. The large-scale security operation is prompted by the overlap of two major events – France’s national holiday, Bastille Day, and the evening FIFA World Cup semi-final between France and Spain.
In an interview with BFM TV, Nunez said the special security measures would also remain in place overnight from Tuesday into Wednesday.
Five Thousand Officers in Paris Alone
According to the minister, 5,000 police officers and gendarmes will be stationed in Paris alone to secure the traditional Bastille Day military parade along the Champs-Élysées. Nunez stressed that “there will be absolutely no tolerance for any misconduct.”
The minister also praised the security services for their response during Thursday’s World Cup quarter-final between France and Morocco, which France won 2-0.
However, the night was not without tragedy. “Despite that, there were several unfortunate incidents, including the death of a 17-year-old girl in the Nord department, who was killed in a horrific accident. A total of 89 people were arrested,” he said.
History of Post-Match Riots
French authorities’ concerns are not unfounded. Paris has repeatedly witnessed riots and street violence following matches involving the French national team and Paris Saint-Germain. Shops, cars, restaurants, and other businesses have often been vandalized.
The most recent example came after PSG’s UEFA Champions League final victory over Arsenal, when French police arrested more than 400 people following widespread unrest.
Tuesday’s semi-final is considered one of the tournament’s marquee clashes. France and Spain entered the FIFA World Cup as two of the leading favorites to lift the trophy, and they will now face each other for a place in the final.
The match will be played in Dallas and is scheduled to kick off at 9:00 p.m. Central European Time.
For France, the stakes are especially high. A victory would send Les Bleus into the World Cup final on Bastille Day itself – a result that would undoubtedly spark nationwide celebrations, but also, according to security officials, could become a catalyst for further street unrest.