French police reportedly cordoned off a large area near the Parc des Princes on Wednesday afternoon following the discovery of a suspicious bag.
Traffic was stopped, the Olympic bus service halted and residents of the area were temporarily prevented from going to their houses ahead of a football schedule which included Israel‘s opening match against Mali on Wednesday evening.
Police found the bag between the Parc des Princes and Roland Garros and quickly cleared the area shortly before Spain’s clash with Uzbekistan, according to Bild.
The situation was resolved in time for Spanish and Uzbek fans to make the kick-off at 3pm local time, although many of them were left stranded outside the Parc des Princes due to ticketing issues.
The stadium was littered with empty seats when the match got underway as organisers scrambled to get things in order. French authorities are tight-lipped on the precautions taken to ensure the Games remain free of danger and trouble.
But they have reportedly spent twice as much on athlete security as previous organisers at the Tokyo Olympics only three years ago.
French interior minister Gerald Darmanin has identified Israel‘s match with Mali as a high-risk event, with 1,000 police officers deployed to form an ‘anti-terror perimeter’ outside the Parc des Princes.
Authorities are expecting protests amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Ukraine‘s game against Iraq on Wednesday, which kicks off at 6pm local time in Lyon, has also been identified as high risk.
“All the competitions have a security plan,” said Darmanin. “But it’s true that these two matches, and particularly the match at the Parc des Princes, will have security, an anti-terror perimeter. Tonight at the Parc des Princes there will be a thousand police officers who will ensure that we are there for the sport.”
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.