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.

Crowds were thin and security was heavy at the Stade de France for Les Bleus' Nations League game against Israel on Thursday after violence in Amsterdam last week around a Europa League match involving Maccabi Tel Aviv.

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.