New York (AFP) – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said on Wednesday his comfort level for Sunday’s first NFL regular-season game in Paris is “very high” despite riots and street violence last weekend across France. The Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints are set to play this weekend in France as authorities brace for more demonstrations after masked youths clashed with police, looted shops, and vandalized public buildings.
Asked about his comfort level with security plans for teams and the stadium area with weekend protests expected, Goodell made it clear he is confident about the event running smoothly. “Very high is my comfort level,” Goodell said. “We’ve made all the preparations. We’ve been in touch with the appropriate authorities. Protests are not unusual in France. That’s something we will be aware of and make sure that the appropriate arrangements are made.”
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Goodell said he has spoken with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio among other officials in France and America about measures to safeguard personnel and the event. “We’re involved at the highest levels in France and on a global basis,” Goodell said. “I had a conversation with the Secretary of State a couple of days ago. We’re continuing to make sure we have all available information, make sure the appropriate steps are being made.” Goodell will be among those attending the game in France. “We’re guests in the country,” Goodell said. “We’re going to be good guests in the country and do our thing and I’m confident they are going to do theirs. We’re looking forward to it.”
– ‘Tremendous success’ – Goodell, speaking after an NFL team owners meeting in New York, also talked about the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia, a 27-7 victory for San Francisco over the Los Angeles Rams last month before more than 100,000 spectators at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. “We look at the Australia game as a tremendous success on every level,” Goodell said. “In all of Australia, I’ve never seen a region or country that has had more passion for sports and I think that was demonstrated.”
The Rams arrived late in hopes of making a quick adjustment while the 49ers arrived much earlier and dominated the game, which was played in prime television viewing time in the United States. “It was a longer trip. We learned something about that. The teams took different approaches. I think we learned a little something about that too,” Goodell said. “We also learned something about putting a game on in a different market. To get 100,000 people on a Friday morning at 10:30 is pretty remarkable. I think it shows the passion is superb.”
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