Brief altercation between fans mars France-Israel soccer match despite heavy security

AP Sports Writer

PARIS (AP) — There was a brief altercation between a small number of fans early into Thursday’s Nations League soccer game between France and Israel despite heavy security inside the stadium, a week after violence erupted in Amsterdam in connection with an Israeli club team’s visit. Around 10 minutes after the game kicked off, there was scuffle in the top section of the stand behind one of the goals at Stade de France. It was not clear what caused the altercation and security intervened after around one minute. The match finished in a 0-0 draw with no further incidents. But Israel’s national anthem was whistled by some fans when the players lined up. A total of 4,000 police officers and security staff were deployed.