Big screens and 10,000 police: What you need to know about the France v Morocco match
France take on Morocco in the World Cup semi finals on Wednesday in what is likely to be a lively event - so whether you want to watch the match or steer clear of raucous football fans, here's what you need to know.
On Wednesday evening the men's football World Cup in Qatar will see France take on Morocco in the second semi-final.
This match is set to be quite a big deal - not only because it's the semi-final of a major football tournament, but because the historic and cultural ties between the two countries are likely to make for a vibrant atmosphere in France itself, especially in Paris and Marseille.
READ ALSO 5 reasons why the Franc-Morocco game is about more than just football
Police warnings
It's become something of a tradition in Paris for victorious football fans to head to the Champs-Elysées and celebrate - most fans do this by simply cheering, waving flags, beeping car horns and firing off crackers, but there are often clashes between police and a minority of supporters.
After Morocco won their quarter final match on Saturday, nearly 20,000 people came to the Champs-Elysées to celebrate and there were 108 arrests.
Interior minister Gérald Darmanin announced on Tuesday that 10,000 police will be mobilised on Wednesday evening, 5,000 of them in Paris and its suburbs.
The mayor of the 8th arrondissement, Jeanne d'Hauteserre, has asked police to close the avenue to avoid trouble on Wednesday.
The Paris police préfecture announced on Wednesday morning that the avenue would not be closed, but there will be a very heavy police presence in the area.
Several of the junctions of the Paris ringroad will be closed from 10pm to avoid cars flooding into the area - these are porte de la Muette, porte Maillot, porte des Ternes, porte Dauphine and porte de Champerret.
There will also be extra police at certain Metro stations around the Champs-Elysée and these could be closed if police think it necessary - these are Charles de Gaulle Etoile, George V, Franklin D Roosevelt, Champs-Elysées Clemenceau and Concorde. There will be a heavy police presence on RER line 1 and Metro line 1 in the city centre.
📄 Consultez notre communiqué de presse sur le dispositif de sécurisation et de circulation mis en place par la @prefpolice l’occasion du match France-Maroc dans le cadre de la #CoupeDuMondeFIFA.#FRAMAR pic.twitter.com/v7sPwMi3Ok
— Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) December 14, 2022
Big screens
Remember how French towns were boycotting the World Cup and refusing to erect big screens or fan zones because of concerns over host country Qatar's human rights record?
Well, now that France are in the final some authorities seem a bit less bothered about the ethical issues of the tournament.
So far it's mostly smaller towns that have announced big screen plans, although the cities of Le Mans, Troyes and Dijon will all be showing the match. Other towns may follow suit.
President Emmanuel Macron, who had already spoken out against 'politicising sport', has announced that he will travel to Qatar to attend the match.
TV
If your town isn't installing a screen, or you would rather stay in out of the cold, the match will be on free TV channel TF1. Kick-off is at 8pm.
Depending on the result on Wednesday, France will either play for third place on Saturday at 4pm, or will be in the final which is on Sunday at 4pm.
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On Wednesday evening the men's football World Cup in Qatar will see France take on Morocco in the second semi-final.
This match is set to be quite a big deal - not only because it's the semi-final of a major football tournament, but because the historic and cultural ties between the two countries are likely to make for a vibrant atmosphere in France itself, especially in Paris and Marseille.
READ ALSO 5 reasons why the Franc-Morocco game is about more than just football
Police warnings
It's become something of a tradition in Paris for victorious football fans to head to the Champs-Elysées and celebrate - most fans do this by simply cheering, waving flags, beeping car horns and firing off crackers, but there are often clashes between police and a minority of supporters.
After Morocco won their quarter final match on Saturday, nearly 20,000 people came to the Champs-Elysées to celebrate and there were 108 arrests.
Interior minister Gérald Darmanin announced on Tuesday that 10,000 police will be mobilised on Wednesday evening, 5,000 of them in Paris and its suburbs.
The mayor of the 8th arrondissement, Jeanne d'Hauteserre, has asked police to close the avenue to avoid trouble on Wednesday.
The Paris police préfecture announced on Wednesday morning that the avenue would not be closed, but there will be a very heavy police presence in the area.
Several of the junctions of the Paris ringroad will be closed from 10pm to avoid cars flooding into the area - these are porte de la Muette, porte Maillot, porte des Ternes, porte Dauphine and porte de Champerret.
There will also be extra police at certain Metro stations around the Champs-Elysée and these could be closed if police think it necessary - these are Charles de Gaulle Etoile, George V, Franklin D Roosevelt, Champs-Elysées Clemenceau and Concorde. There will be a heavy police presence on RER line 1 and Metro line 1 in the city centre.
📄 Consultez notre communiqué de presse sur le dispositif de sécurisation et de circulation mis en place par la @prefpolice l’occasion du match France-Maroc dans le cadre de la #CoupeDuMondeFIFA.#FRAMAR pic.twitter.com/v7sPwMi3Ok
— Préfecture de Police (@prefpolice) December 14, 2022
Big screens
Remember how French towns were boycotting the World Cup and refusing to erect big screens or fan zones because of concerns over host country Qatar's human rights record?
Well, now that France are in the final some authorities seem a bit less bothered about the ethical issues of the tournament.
So far it's mostly smaller towns that have announced big screen plans, although the cities of Le Mans, Troyes and Dijon will all be showing the match. Other towns may follow suit.
President Emmanuel Macron, who had already spoken out against 'politicising sport', has announced that he will travel to Qatar to attend the match.
TV
If your town isn't installing a screen, or you would rather stay in out of the cold, the match will be on free TV channel TF1. Kick-off is at 8pm.
Depending on the result on Wednesday, France will either play for third place on Saturday at 4pm, or will be in the final which is on Sunday at 4pm.
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