Watch out, the English are about to land!
A red tide will sweep over Paris and Saint-Denis this weekend.
The many supporters of the Reds are indeed expected in force for the final of the Champions League Liverpool - Real Madrid, which is held this Saturday at 9 p.m. at the Stade de France.
Since the decision at the highest summit of the State, on February 25, to propose the enclosure of Saint-Denis as a place of fallback to be the theater of this final, canceled in Saint Petersburg due to Russian invasion in Ukraine , meetings are multiplying to better organize this global event.
Security perimeter, fan-zones, sale of alcohol… There are many subjects to manage this high-risk classified final.
The elections and the government reshuffle, with the resulting transfer window in the ministries and administrations, may have contributed to slowing down the decision-making process a little.
But five days before the final, almost everything is now set.
A meeting is planned in the prefecture of Seine-Saint-Denis, in Bobigny, this Monday at 3 p.m., between all the actors in the file, UEFA, FFF, State, government, prefectures, cities… to validate the system.
Here are the highlights.
A Cours de Vincennes fan-zone in Paris for Liverpool
This is the main problem to manage.
According to concordant sources, 60,000 or even 70,000 English fans are expected in France this weekend for the final.
Knowing that only 22,000 tickets have been provided for Liverpool, two thirds of these supporters therefore come without a place for the match.
It is a question of welcoming them under conditions of security.
Several areas have been planned to accommodate them in the best safety conditions, allow them to party, drink beer and watch the match, all while limiting nuisance and damage.
It was finally the Cours de Vincennes in Paris that was chosen, according to our information, confirming that of "L'Equipe".
A huge security perimeter and giant screens will be installed there.
A second fan zone in Saint-Denis for Real
The Spanish supporters (22,000 also in the Stadium) should be less numerous than the English outside, and worry the authorities less.
They will be welcomed in a fan zone set up in the Legion of Honor park in Saint-Denis, near the Stade de France.
It should be reserved for ticket holders for the match from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., before being then open to the inhabitants of the city to allow them to see the match on a giant screen.
Expanded perimeter around the Stade de France
A large part of Saint-Denis will be closed off this Saturday.
Compared to a classic event like the Indochina concert this weekend, or even compared to a sensitive match like the last Coupe de France Nantes-Nice final on May 7, the security perimeter around the Stade de France will be expanded.
Searches and pat-downs will sometimes begin up to 1 km before the Stadium gates.
Sale of alcohol authorized until 6 p.m.
The experiment, failed, during the final of the Coupe de France will not be renewed.
The sale of alcohol had been banned on avenue Jules-Rimet in Saint-Denis, in the bars in front of the Stade de France.
This prefectural decision intended to reduce nuisance has on the contrary contributed to pushing supporters in need of alcohol to other less secure places.
This caused fights and damage in areas further from the stadium, around the Gare de Lyon in Paris or at the Plaine Saint-Denis.
For the Champions League final, the bars will be open this time around the Stadium.
The sale of alcohol will be authorized there, but until 6 p.m., or 3 hours before kick-off.
