Toulouse v Troyes Ligue 1 game postponed as France gripped by unrest
A large pile of shared rental bicycles and electric scooters set on fire on a wide avenue near the docks during clashes in Bordeaux. This scene illustrates the violent turn of the nationwide mobilization on October 17, 2026, which was marked by major clashes with law enforcement and incidents of store looting across several major French cities. Guillaume Pinon / Hans Lucas. Un important tas de velos en libre-service et de trottinettes electriques incendies sur une large avenue pres des quais lors des affrontements a Bordeaux. Cette scene illustre la tournure violente de la mobilisation nationale du 17 octobre 2026, marquee par des affrontements majeurs avec les forces de l ordre et des scenes de pillages de commerces dans plusieurs grandes villes de France. Guillaume Pinon / Hans Lucas. (Photo by Guillaume Pinon / Hans Lucas / Hans Lucas via AFP)
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The match which had been due to take place in Toulouse in southwest France at 1715 local time (1515 GMT) on Saturday will now kick off on Sunday at the same time.
"Although not considered high-risk, organizing an event with such a large turnout requires the deployment of internal security forces and municipal police personnel," the Haute-Garonne prefecture, which manages public services and security in the region, said.
A second sporting event is also scheduled in Toulouse on Saturday with the city's rugby club set to host Perpignan in a Top 14 rugby match.
On Tuesday, the Ligue 2 match between Montpellier and Paris-based Red Star originally scheduled for Saturday was moved to Monday.
Some of the worst urban violence to hit France in years erupted last Saturday on the fringe of nationwide protests over the rising cost of living.
Since then, authorities have ordered partial curfews in parts of Paris and other cities, including Toulouse, to prevent further violence.
There was tight security at the Parc des Princes in Paris on Tuesday for Paris Saint-Germain's victory against Barcelona in the Champions League.
PSG will host Lyon at the same venue in a Ligue 1 match on Sunday evening.
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