The Israeli men’s soccer team received a chilly reception from fans in their opening Olympic match against Mali at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Wednesday night.
Fans booed and whistles blew inside the stadium as the Israeli national anthem was played, and the stadium speakers were turned up in an apparent attempt to drown out the boos. Israeli footballers faced boos every time they touched the ball thereafter.
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Israel walks onto the pitch at Parc des Princes ahead of the men’s Group D match between Israel and Mali at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurélien Molissard)
Israel coach Guy Ruzon supported the protests at a press conference on Tuesday.
“Have the biggest protests,” he said at the time, via Ynet News. “They will motivate us to try harder.”
The match against Mali was tense and the team played under heavy police protection from the get-go, with armed officers patrolling the stadium to try to quell tensions, but videos posted on social media showed clashes between fans.
In one particular instance, a woman was holding up a Palestinian flag, after which two other individuals holding Palestinian flags stood next to her, and security officials intervened in the incident.
Supporters react during the men’s Group D match between Israel and Mali at the 2024 Summer Olympics at Parc des Princes, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
France opens Paris Olympics with dominance over U.S. men’s soccer team
“We must defend this security for the whole world,” said French Interior Minister Gerard Darmanin. “The threats against our country are threats that concern the Western countries.”
Meanwhile, Israel and Mali played out a 1-1 draw, giving both teams a point in Group D. Israel will face Paraguay on Saturday.
Paris is deploying 35,000 police officers every day during the Olympics, with an estimated 45,000 at the opening ceremony on the Seine.
Israel’s Oscar Gullough runs with the ball between Mali’s Ahmed Diomande (right) and Mali’s Salam Jidu (left) during the men’s Group D match between Israel and Mali at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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France has also received support from more than 40 countries, which have sent around 2,000 police reinforcements.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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