The NFL is set to make its debut in France this weekend with a Week 7 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Typically, fans would be celebrating the league expanding its international footprint and breaking into a new market, but these are no ordinary circumstances.
Protests have been breaking out all over the country for the last month. It started because of poor school conditions and teacher shortages, but it’s since grown to include unrest over the high cost of living, inflated gas prices, and frustration with President Emmanuel Macron.
According to CNBC, 500,000 people marched in protest over the weekend. Many of the protests have been peaceful, but recently there’s been reports of vandalization to local businesses, police officers being attacked, and several buildings being set on fire.
Because of the mounting turmoil overseas, many have called on the NFL to cancel the Steelers-Saints game this weekend. However, the league has since said that’s a no-go.
“Saints are scheduled to leave tonight for Paris, where they play the Steelers next Sunday at Stade de France,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. “Despite intense riots and social unrest there, the NFL says the game is on.”
The NFL even issued a statement explaining it didn’t believe any credible threat was posed to either team.
“Preparations continue as scheduled for NFL events and the game at Stade de France next Sunday,” the statement said. “We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates. There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.”
Fans were quick to run to social media to call out the NFL for potentially endangering the lives of players on both teams all for what they believe is a cash grab.
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“If I’m a family member of a Saint or Steeler, or one of the players, I’d be seriously concerned about this decision by the NFL,” former “SportsCenter” anchor Linda Cohn wrote.
“Nothing says ‘we prioritize player safety’ by flying them 5,000 miles away to play a game in an active war zone. Not to mention the additional stress on the host nation's resources while trying to quell a violent uprising,” one fan exclaimed.
“NFL doesn’t give a [expletive] about their players AT ALL,” another fan scoffed.
“The players should all refuse to go… What a joke the NFL is still going over there…,” a third fan remarked.
“Proof all they care about is money,” one user noted.
“Not sure why the NFL would endanger two of their teams like this,” asked another user.
“Absolutely unacceptable. The team owners and the players union, etc. should all demand that it is canceled,” proclaimed one fan.
“Flying two NFL teams into the middle of major unrest because the schedule says so is wild. That security meeting is probably getting more film study than the Steelers defense right now,” another fan replied.