French President Emmanuel Macron bans illegitimate protests as curfews take effect
French President Emmanuel Macron bans illegitimate protests and implements curfews as violent clashes break out across France. Greg Palkot reports live from Paris, where businesses are boarding up windows in anticipation of a fresh wave of protests. The unrest has also forced the cancellation of a Steelers fan event ahead of the NFL international game.
It may be starting to get redundant but, “Yes,” the NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers remains on track, a league spokesman told OutKick and Fox News Digital on Friday.
The question came up – again – because the most successful soccer team in France on Friday announced it has postponed its match on Sunday in Paris under police orders.
Paris-Saint Germain issued a statement that said it has “taken note” of the order from the Paris Police Prefecture prohibiting the organization of the Paris Saint-Germain-Olympique Lyonnais match.
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“Accordingly, we inform you that the match between the two clubs, originally scheduled for this Sunday, October 25, has been postponed to Monday, October 26, at 8:30 p.m. at the Parc des Princes,” the club said in a statement.
The Paris police requested the change because police and security resources are stretched thin due to mass protests, ongoing civil unrest, and France’s first NFL game happening in the region, per multiple reports.
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The Steelers’ travel plan ahead of their game at Paris’ Stade de France against the New Orleans Saints is raising some eyebrows. (AP Photo/Greg Payan)
That NFL game remains as scheduled on Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m. in the United States.
The NFL said so in reply to an email from OutKick and Fox News Digital asking whether and how its decision to play on Sunday is impacted by the decision by PSG.
It’s not.
And that is quite clear considering NFL elites and the French government expect the game to go on. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Saints owner Gayle Benson and Steelers owner Art Rooney II met with French President Emmanuel Macron for a luncheon meeting Friday at the Élysée Palace in Paris.
Fresh clashes erupt in Paris as France protest arrests exceed 2,000 PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 18: Police clash with protesters during a demonstration amid a nationwide mobilisation over rising living costs, fuel prices and education funding in Paris, France, on October 18, 2026. (Hesham Elsherif/Anadolu via Getty Images)
According to a league source, the topics discussed at the two-hour gathering included security for the game, the readiness of the Stade de France, where the game is to be played, and the growth of flag football in France.
The fact the French President met with the highest representatives from both squads and there has been no change in the status of the game suggests this thing is going to happen come heck or high rioting.
And on that front, it seems Saturday is a key day because protests which may or may not evolve into wider civil unrest are planned for that day.
Organizers of the Paris protest told the Associated Press that an administrative court overturned a protest ban issued by police after they challenged it. The Paris prefecture previously said the ban was necessary, given the risk of street violence after groups of masked youth clashed with officers, looted shops and torched cars over the weekend.
The organizers signed a police document stating that the protest would remain stationary due to the risk of violence.
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A fire burns as police officers in riot gear stand guard during civil unrest in Paris, France, the day after a national day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices on Oct. 18, 2026. (Reuters)
More bans were expected in the coming days. Macron previously said ban measures aim to protect city centers, businesses and public buildings.
Macron said after a special security meeting at the Elysée Palace that the strategy adopted for the coming days is to ban protests requested by “individuals or groups with no legitimate authority.”
“The rules are simple, and I think they’re just common sense. The general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations in the coming days,” he said. “For those who still want to protest, if they are trade unions, prefects will propose alternative routes.”
Macron blamed last weekend’s violence on “actions led by radical far-left groups who aimed to bring the Republic down,” in addition to criminals who came to loot.
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