The Pittsburgh Steelers’ trip to Paris has lost part of its welcome party. With the Steelers House fan event canceled due to security concerns, the NFL faces another round of questions about proceeding with Sunday’s game.
The matchup against the New Orleans Saints remains scheduled for Oct. 25 at Stade de France. For supporters questioning the trip, the loss of an organized gathering has hardly eased their concerns.
Steelers Fan Event Cancellation Draws Criticism Ahead of Paris Game
The cancellation followed recent unrest in Paris’s Bastille neighborhood. In a statement announcing the decision, the league and team said preparations for Sunday’s game would continue in coordination with local authorities and security partners.
NFL vice president for global events Nicki Ewell told The Associated Press that the club made the decision to cancel. The NFL distributed the announcement because it had helped promote the event.
That distinction matters as criticism builds over how the trip is being handled. Steelers reporter Mike Asti credited the team for putting its supporters first.
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“Here’s what is crystal clear: The Steelers care more about the safety of the fans than the NFL, who only ever cares about the money,”Asti wrote.
Another fan focused on people who had already invested money and time in the experience.
“This is BS!!! Goodell is such a 🤡 for not canceling this game. The fans spent way too much money and travelled all the way to Paris only for them having to miss out on the fan experience,”one fan wrote.
Concerns about the trip had already extended toplayers’ families, with Devin McCourty questioning how relatives traveling independently would navigate the situation. The canceled gathering adds another complication for visitors planning their time in France.
Mike Florio Questions NFL’s Determination to Proceed
Mike Florio argued that the league should reconsider the location, suggesting London as an alternative while Paris deals with the unrest.
“There’s a ‘show must go on’ stubbornness that invites unnecessary risk,”Florio wrote.
He suggested returning to Paris next year or when conditions allow the game to proceed with less risk. That was his proposed alternative, with no relocation plan announced.
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Robert Weintraub offered a different assessment of the cancellation, pointing to the security distinction between the two venues.
“It’s a bad look, but I get it–a stadium is a much more hardened target than a fan event,”Weintraub wrote.
On the field, the scheduled matchup features quarterbacks looking to improve their standing. Through Week 6, Tyler Shough ranks 20th in PFN’sQB Impact Rankings with a 73.9 grade, while Aaron Rodgers sits 24th at 68.6.
For traveling supporters, though, the immediate questions are how to get around safely and which activities remain available. Sunday’s kickoff is still on the calendar. Their weekend plans have already changed.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.