03:36Pro-Palestinian activists blocked the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris on Monday, demanding the cancellation of the Nations League match between France and Israel.
Footage shows protesters at the federation's headquarters in Paris lying on the floor covered in red paint and holding placards reading ‘Netanyahu criminal, Macron accomplicier’ and ‘Israel is destroying sports infrastructure of Palestine’.
The action was organised by EuroPalestine, whose leader, Olivia Zemor, questioned "How is it possible that, amid genocide, the French Football Federation is organising a match between France and Israel at the Stade de France on November 14?"
According to Zemore, organising this match ‘would give France the image of being totally complicit in the genocide currently taking place in Gaza and the massacres also being carried out by Israel in Lebanon.’
"Of course, I doubt that they will reply that you can't mix sport and politics insofar as Russia is excluded from sporting competitions, like Belarus, because of the invasion of Ukraine, as you know. We are therefore curious to hear their arguments" she questioned.
After the activists took action, they left the building after being assured that their representatives would meet with the football federation's management on Tuesday.
Last month, French authorities confirmed that the France-Israel match will be held with fans present on 14 November at the Stade de France. Heightened security measures will be in place in the city and at the stadium, according to French police.
Earlier in the autumn, Italy organised a match against Israel, and the game proceeded without any incident.
Pro-Palestine activists block French Football Federation HQ demanding cancellation of match with Israel
Pro-Palestinian activists blocked the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris on Monday, demanding the cancellation of the Nations League match between France and Israel.
Footage shows protesters at the federation's headquarters in Paris lying on the floor covered in red paint and holding placards reading ‘Netanyahu criminal, Macron accomplicier’ and ‘Israel is destroying sports infrastructure of Palestine’.
The action was organised by EuroPalestine, whose leader, Olivia Zemor, questioned "How is it possible that, amid genocide, the French Football Federation is organising a match between France and Israel at the Stade de France on November 14?"
According to Zemore, organising this match ‘would give France the image of being totally complicit in the genocide currently taking place in Gaza and the massacres also being carried out by Israel in Lebanon.’
"Of course, I doubt that they will reply that you can't mix sport and politics insofar as Russia is excluded from sporting competitions, like Belarus, because of the invasion of Ukraine, as you know. We are therefore curious to hear their arguments" she questioned.
After the activists took action, they left the building after being assured that their representatives would meet with the football federation's management on Tuesday.
Last month, French authorities confirmed that the France-Israel match will be held with fans present on 14 November at the Stade de France. Heightened security measures will be in place in the city and at the stadium, according to French police.
Earlier in the autumn, Italy organised a match against Israel, and the game proceeded without any incident.
Pro-Palestinian activists blocked the headquarters of the French Football Federation in Paris on Monday, demanding the cancellation of the Nations League match between France and Israel.
Footage shows protesters at the federation's headquarters in Paris lying on the floor covered in red paint and holding placards reading ‘Netanyahu criminal, Macron accomplicier’ and ‘Israel is destroying sports infrastructure of Palestine’.
The action was organised by EuroPalestine, whose leader, Olivia Zemor, questioned "How is it possible that, amid genocide, the French Football Federation is organising a match between France and Israel at the Stade de France on November 14?"
According to Zemore, organising this match ‘would give France the image of being totally complicit in the genocide currently taking place in Gaza and the massacres also being carried out by Israel in Lebanon.’
"Of course, I doubt that they will reply that you can't mix sport and politics insofar as Russia is excluded from sporting competitions, like Belarus, because of the invasion of Ukraine, as you know. We are therefore curious to hear their arguments" she questioned.
After the activists took action, they left the building after being assured that their representatives would meet with the football federation's management on Tuesday.
Last month, French authorities confirmed that the France-Israel match will be held with fans present on 14 November at the Stade de France. Heightened security measures will be in place in the city and at the stadium, according to French police.
Earlier in the autumn, Italy organised a match against Israel, and the game proceeded without any incident.