Brief
French prime minister says PSG‑Barcelona match will go ahead despite protests
Lecornu rules out cancelling the Tuesday night Champions League fixture, opting for partial curfews instead of a full lockdown.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Paris Saint‑Germain will host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT, and French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu says the match will not be postponed despite ongoing violent protests, Al Jazeera reported.
What happened
The UEFA Champions League group‑stage fixture was scheduled for Tuesday night. Over the weekend, demonstrations across French cities escalated into looting and street violence, prompting authorities to consider security measures. Lecornu announced on Monday that he had asked regional officials to impose "partial" and "localised" curfews in some cities to protect businesses, while leaving the match on the calendar.
What the reports add
Lecornu said a state of emergency could be imposed "if necessary" but preferred curfews as a less severe response. He ruled out a full curfew for Paris, stressing that any restrictions would be "local and partial". Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed there were no plans to cancel the match. The article also notes that Ligue 1 clubs Marseille and Lille reported vandalism to their stores during the unrest.
What was said
"I am absolutely determined to restore order," Lecornu told reporters at a news conference after a crisis meeting. "A state of emergency is still a very serious measure… if it is necessary, of course we could do it." Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told reporters there were no intentions to cancel the game.
How it came about
The protests follow a series of nationwide student demonstrations that began in early October, with earlier Felo coverage linking the unrest to broader political tensions in France (French high schools brace for larger protests).
Key facts
- PSG will host Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT. (aljazeera.com)
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the match will not be postponed despite protests. (aljazeera.com)
- Lecornu proposed partial, localised curfews and said a state of emergency could be considered if needed. (aljazeera.com)
- Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said there are no plans to cancel the match. (aljazeera.com)
- Marseille and Lille reported vandalism to their club stores during the unrest. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “PSG-Barcelona match will not be cancelled due to protests, French PM says”
