Argentina-France: Darmanin presents the security system planned in France

Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin presented this Friday the security system planned in Paris and throughout France on the occasion of the final and the small final of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He, in particular, announced the mobilization of 14,000 police and gendarmes throughout the country. for the Sunday match. 12,840 police officers will be mobilized for the small final against Croatia and Morocco on Saturday.

In the event of a French victory on Sunday, between 300,000 and 600,000 people are expected on the Champs Elysées, which will be entirely pedestrian, police headquarters said. Station checks will be carried out to avoid, in particular, the presence of fireworks in the capital.

The police headquarters also said that they had already contacted the French Football Federation to think about organizing the return of the Blues after their final.

For the France-Morocco semi-final on Wednesday night, the police headquarters planned a strong system with 10,000 police officers mobilized across France, including 2,200 in the capital, almost double the amount from last Saturday’s quarter-final. The Interior Ministry decided not to close the Champs Elysées, where thousands of fans were able to celebrate the qualification of the Blues under the supervision of many policemen.

Several clashes after the semi-finals

While in the capital the celebrations were held without noticeable clashes, with the exception of a few projectiles and mortar fire, in Ile-de-France and other places in the territory, there were still several incidents. “Several far-right groups” traveled to Paris and other cities during the semi-finals, Gerald Darmanin admitted on Friday morning, believing that “racist overtones” from some political leaders “may have motivated these groups.” He also announced a meeting “to see how we can keep an eye on these small groups.”

On Wednesday evening, the police made 266 arrests throughout the territory (145 in Paris). In Montpellier, a teenager died on Wednesday evening after being hit by a driver in the critical area of ​​Paillades.

And in Paris, in the 17th arrondissement, a group of ultra-right activists who were about to act were arrested. Commando members were placed in police custody, in part for carrying banned weapons. The police finally intervened in Lyon to end a fight between supporters and other far-right activists.