Sports
NFL says Steelers-Saints game in Paris is still on despite student protests
The league says preparations continue for the first regular-season NFL game in Paris on Oct. 25 with local security partners.
Paris will still host its first regular-season NFL game next weekend. The league says student protests in France have not changed the plan.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are set to play Oct. 25 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis. League spokesperson Brian McCarthy said preparations for the game and related events continue as scheduled.
Protests have spread beyond Paris
Teenage students have blocked schools and clashed with police in recent weeks. Demonstrators say class days run too long and that buildings are overcrowded and poorly cooled. The movement started in the Paris region and then spread nationwide.
McCarthy said the NFL works with local authorities and partners on operational and security matters for every game including international ones. "We look forward to welcoming fans to Paris later this month," he said.
A rare road trip for Pittsburgh
It will be the second straight year the Steelers play overseas. Last fall they beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-21 at Croke Park in Dublin when Pittsburgh was the designated home team.
If the Paris date cannot be kept New Orleans is the designated home club so the game could move to the Caesars Superdome. For now the league says Stade de France remains the venue.
