(VIDEO) Like Pandemic Times: Empty Stade de France Before Game Against Israel

Today, the French national team is set to play a UEFA Nations League home match against Israel, but football seems to have taken a back seat to other issues.

Details: According to the French press, only 15,000 tickets out of a possible 80,000 have been sold for the game at the country’s largest stadium, Stade de France.

The low turnout is reportedly due to concerns over potential unrest. France has a significant Arab population, and many hold hostile views toward Israel because of the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict, which has discouraged fans from attending the game due to fears of large-scale disturbances.

Journalist Julien Reboucci, reporting from the match, posted a video showing the nearly empty stands half an hour before kickoff. The footage is reminiscent of the empty stadiums during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, French President Emmanuel Macron and high-ranking government officials are attending the game to show their support for Israel.

Reminder: For the matches against Israel and Italy, French head coach Didier Deschamps did not call up Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé.