Israel's men's soccer team received a cold welcome from fans at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Wednesday night as they began their Olympic Games against Mali.
Fans booed and whistled inside the stadium as the Israeli national anthem played. The stadium loudspeaker turned up louder in an apparent attempt to drown out the boos. Israeli soccer players faced boos every time they touched the ball.
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Israel enters the field before the men's Group D match between Israel and Mali at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympic Games on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Israeli coach Guy Luzon welcomed the protests at a news conference on Tuesday.
“There needs to be louder protests,” he said at the time, according to Ynet News. “It will make us work harder.”
The match against Mali was tense and began with the team arriving under heavy police escort. Armed police patrolled the stadium to try to calm tensions. However, videos posted on social media showed clashes between fans.
In one case, a woman was holding a Palestinian flag and two other people holding Palestinian flags stood next to her. Security officers intervened in the incident.
Fans react as they watch the men's Group D match between Israel and Mali at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
France beats U.S. men's soccer team as Paris Olympics opener
“We owe this security to the entire world,” said French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. “The threats facing our country are the same ones that concern the Western world.”
Meanwhile, Israel and Mali drew 1-1, both taking points in Group D. Israel will face Paraguay on Saturday.
Paris will deploy 35,000 police officers each day of the Olympics, with an estimated 45,000 of them deployed for the opening ceremonies on the River Seine.
Israel's Oscar Gloukh runs with the ball between Ahmed Diomande of Mali, right, and Salam Jiddou of Mali, left, during the men's Group D match between Israel and Mali at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 in Paris. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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France is also receiving help from more than 40 countries, which have sent nearly 2,000 police reinforcements.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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