President Donald Trump has questioned the NFL’s decision to go ahead with a game in Paris amid widespread unrest in the country.
The first regular-season NFL game to be staged in France is due to kick off on Sunday at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, which sits just north of Paris.
Trump said Friday that the league “could have probably postponed” the fixture between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints.
“I think maybe it’s looking like tomorrow is going to be a bad day in France, so you worry about it,” Trump told reporters. “I would have said the NFL could have probably postponed that match ... because France is really in trouble.”
The U.S. State Department issued a security alert late Thursday, saying: “Numerous groups submitted plans for protests on Saturday, October 24. Americans in Paris for the NFL game on Sunday, October 25 should also exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings. While permits may be filed for demonstration routes, last-minute changes can happen and protests can occur outside planned routes.”
France is preparing for further demonstrations on Saturday against the high cost of living. Museums are closing and the government is deploying a larger security presence to prevent a repeat of last week's violent unrest.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said this week that preparations were made in consultation with U.S. and French authorities. Street protests, he said, “are not unusual in France.”
The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump's remarks.
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Friday that “the NFL is alert to what’s going on.”
“This game means a lot to the NFL. If it was unsafe, then I’m sure we wouldn’t be here,” Rodgers said at the team's hotel in Paris.
A weekend event for Steelers fans was canceled Thursday because of security concerns.
Soccer team Paris Saint-Germain's game against Lyon has been moved from Sunday to Monday evening at the request of Paris police, the French soccer league said.
The fixture had been scheduled for Sunday night at the Parc des Princes.