Steelers fan event at Bastille bar canceled amid civil unrest in Paris

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL have scrapped a weekend fan event in Paris, citing security concerns linked to recent street protests in the French capital. Both the league and the team confirmed Thursday that the planned gathering, a Steelers House fan event at a bar in the Bastille neighborhood, would not go ahead.

The cancellation came a day after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he felt a high level of comfort about the teams playing in Paris despite the unrest. In a message sent to fans, organizers said that following recent events in the Bastille area, and after careful consideration, it was appropriate not to move forward with the event.

Sunday's game between the Steelers and the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France remains on. The league said preparations for the Paris game continue as planned, with security being reinforced. Goodell said Wednesday he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the situation, adding that protests are not unusual in France and that the league had made all necessary preparations.

More demonstrations could be on the way this weekend in Paris and elsewhere in France. Nicki Ewell, the NFL's vice president for global events, said the decision to cancel the fan event was made by the club. An Irish pub in the Bastille district, O'Sullivans, had been advertising a watch party for Sunday's game.