Empty Seats and Tense Matches: France Faces a Dilemma
Ah, the Stade de France, a grand stadium that’s seen more highs than a kite and lows than a lost sock! The upcoming matches—France versus Japan in rugby and France versus Israel in football—are stirring quite the pot, albeit with more empty seats than a public lavatory at a music festival. Yes, my friends, it’s a packed schedule but not a packed house!
The Rugby Rendezvous: France vs. Japan
This Saturday, we’ll witness the French rugby team trying to dust off the cobwebs and rediscover their mojo against Japan. It kicks off at 9:10 p.m., and the atmosphere is likely to be more somber than the sad trombone used at a rejected talent show audition. With only 45,000 to 50,000 expected in an 80,000-seat stadium, the “let’s all hang out in the back row” vibe is strong. But hey, the French XV is focusing on launching a new cycle—kind of like a bad relationship, but with more scrums and fewer tears.
Antoine Dupont and his merry band of rugby rascals are making their return to the Stade de France since their heartbreaking exit against South Africa. François Cros, the third row of the Blues and Stade Toulousain, shared that despite the recent disappointments, they’re excited to play. He said, “There was this bad memory, but the page has turned.” I mean, for some of us, the page only turns when there’s a new Netflix series, but you do you, François!
Football Frights: France vs. Israel
And then there’s football. Next Thursday, we have France hosting Israel in what should be a rousing affair. However, given the current security concerns and the recently escalated tensions after an unpleasant evening in Amsterdam, the buzz might be more of a deafening silence. Didier Deschamps has a tough job ahead, and with only 20,000 tickets sold, it looks like half the crowd might come dressed as empty seats!
Philippe Diallo, the president of the French Football Federation, lamented that many potential spectators are holding off on buying tickets due to their fears. He bravely said, “This is not normal,” as if suggesting we should simply don our rose-tinted glasses and frolic into the stadium. Let’s be honest: it’s hard to enjoy the beautiful game when you’re also contemplating your life choices while looking over your shoulder!
A Rising Tide of Tension and the Power of Unity
With 2,500 police officers expected to surround the Stade de France, you’d think it was a political rally, not just a football match! Diallo went on to emphasize that football should be for everyone, regardless of backgrounds. But let’s face it, if “security concerns” sounds more like the premise of a horror movie than a sporting event, we might want to rethink how we market these matches! Throw in “free popcorn” and suddenly we’re back in business!
In summary, whether you’re a rugby enthusiast or a football fanatic, it’s clear that France is at an important crossroads. The rugby matches may draw some devoted supporters, yet the football engagement may look like a ghost town. What’s a country to do? Perhaps we need a little less fear and a lot more joie de vivre! Bring on the matches, the crowds, and let’s hope the empty seats find their way into the history books—just not this week.
For very different reasons, the next two matches organized at the Stade de France will be held in front of stands that are far from full. First this Saturday for France-Japan (9:10 p.m.) in rugby, and especially Thursday for France-Israel (8:45 p.m.) in football.
The road to 2027 does not wait. After a disappointing last Tournament then a traumatic tour to Argentina, the French XV intends to launch a new cycle this Saturday against Japan (9:10 p.m.) with the next World Cup in Australia already in the back of their minds. This autumn window, also with New Zealand and Argentina on the menu, should allow the Blues to regain confidence and serenity. For the occasion, Antoine Dupont and his gang will return to their home at the Stade de France, where they have not set foot since their exit in the quarter-finals of the World Cup against South Africa , one evening in October 2023.
The three home matches of the 2024 Tournament had to be relocated to give the venue time to get a makeover before the Paris Olympic Games this summer. “We always enjoy playing at the Stade de France, even if the matches in the provinces were also interesting, with a different audience. We were able to reach more people than when we play in Paris. But this Stade de France is working pretty well for us. “, it’s a pleasure to play there. There was this bad memory (against South Africa), but the page has turned,” confided this week the third row of the Blues and Stade Toulousain, François Cros.
>>> France-Japan LIVE
However, the atmosphere will not be the same as a year ago when the communion between the Blues and their public reached its peak during the World Cup at home. This evening, there should be between 45,000 and 50,000 supporters taking their places in the stands, in a stadium which can accommodate 80,000. Usually, the XV of France enjoys playing this type of match outside the capital. The ticket office for the three Blues matches during the last VI Nations, organized exceptionally in Marseille, Lille and Lyon, had also been stormed.
Fearful spectators for France-Israel
Playing this France-Japan in the provinces was what was initially planned before the Federation’s plans were turned upside down for contractual reasons. “In November 2022, the France-South Africa was relocated to Marseille due to work on the RER lines in Île-de-France. We must contractually play a certain number of matches at the Stade de France, so this France- Japan is in some way replacing the match against South Africa,” he told The Team Claude Hélias, vice-treasurer of the FFR.
The Blues can rest assured, the Stade de France should not, however, sound hollow for the two shocks against New Zealand (November 16) and Argentina (November 22). The public should largely respond to these always prestigious posters.
This will not be the case next Thursday in Saint-Denis. On the football side, Didier Deschamps’ French team will host Israel in the Nations League (8:45 p.m.). A match which will be played in a very particular security context, even more so after the violence that occurred Thursday evening after the Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel-Aviv, with Israeli supporters targeted in Amsterdam. As detailed by RMC Sport, the system, already substantial, could be further strengthened for this France-Israel. With in particular 2,500 members of the police deployed around the Stade de France.
Unsurprisingly, potential spectators preferred not to buy tickets. To date, only 20,000 tickets have been sold, which suggests a terribly low attendance. “This tense context can lead many spectators to feel fear,” confirmed Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, this Saturday in the columns of West France. “This is not normal. I deplore it, because football is made for sharing, regardless of religion and skin color. And that is why we are putting this security system in place to dispel this feeling of fear (…) By Thursday, I hope that the stadium will be more full than that, but it is clear that, contrary to our habits, this match will not be played behind closed doors.”
**Interview with François Cros, Third Row of the French Rugby Team**
**Editor**: Welcome, François! With the upcoming match against Japan at the Stade de France, there’s a lot of buzz—but also a lot of empty seats expected. How do you feel about playing in front of possibly less than half the crowd capacity?
**François Cros**: Thank you for having me! It’s definitely strange to anticipate such a big match in front of so few fans. We thrive on the energy from the crowd, and it’s disheartening to know that there might be many seats unfilled. But we’re focused on the game and the new chapter we’re beginning. We must create our own energy on the field!
**Editor**: Speaking of that new chapter, you mentioned in an interview that the page has turned since last year’s disappointing exit. What does this new cycle mean for the team?
**François Cros**: Absolutely. After the heart-wrenching exit against South Africa, we’ve spent some time reflecting. This new cycle is about rebuilding our confidence, learning from our past, and focusing on the future. We’ve got our sights set on the 2027 World Cup, and each match is crucial for that journey.
**Editor**: Transitioning to the football match against Israel next week, there’s also talk of security concerns affecting attendance. What are your thoughts on how current events impact sports in general?
**François Cros**: It’s tough, isn’t it? Sports should be a unifying force, a way for people to come together and share a love for the game. But safety is paramount. I understand the hesitation people feel, especially with everything happening in the world. We all want to enjoy the beautiful game without a shadow of fear hanging over us.
**Editor**: With 2,500 police officers expected at the Stade de France for that match, do you think such security measures could change the vibe of a sporting event?
**François Cros**: It’s a delicate balance, for sure. While security is necessary, it can also create a tense atmosphere. I hope that fans can feel safe and relaxed enough to enjoy the match. We need their support more than ever, and a lively, engaged crowd can really lift our spirits.
**Editor**: As players, how do you stay motivated in light of these challenges, both on the field and regarding attendance?
**François Cros**: At the end of the day, we love rugby and we love representing France. Each time we step on that field, it’s an opportunity to connect with our teammates and our fans—whether they’re there in person or cheering from home. We carry that passion with us, and it fuels us.
**Editor**: You mentioned creating your own energy on the field. Any last words for the fans considering coming to the match this Saturday?
**François Cros**: Absolutely! We want to invite every rugby fan to join us this weekend. Your support means everything to us, and we promise to give you a match to remember. Let’s fill those seats and create an unforgettable atmosphere together!
**Editor**: Thank you so much for your insights, François. Best of luck this Saturday!
**François Cros**: Thank you! We’re looking forward to it!
