After the recent violence around an Israeli team’s game in Amsterdam, French leaders insisted on proceeding under security with a France-Israel match, and on showing up, themselves.

There was a brief altercation between a small number of fans early into Thursday's Nations League soccer game between France and Israel despite heavy security inside the stadium, a week after violence erupted in Amsterdam in connection with an Israeli club team’s visit.

France coach Didier Deschamps expressed disappointment after Thursday's 0-0 draw at home against Israel in the Nations League, acknowledging his team could have performed better. Despite the lacklustre draw,