French President Emmanuel Macron booed at Rugby World Cup opening ceremony

Sep 08, 2023 at 11:37 PM
French President Emmanuel Macron booed at Rugby World Cup opening ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron was booed throughout the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup.

It started when he walked onto the pitch on the Stade de France in Paris.

While chants of “Allez Les Bleus” additionally rang out across the stadium, a number of the jeering continued.

Emmanuel Macron at the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony
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Emmanuel Macron on the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony

Earlier this 12 months, there have been large demonstrations against controversial pension reforms.

Mr Macron, arms folded, applauded World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont as he completed his speech.

Then, when it was his flip to handle the group, the boos elevated in quantity and at first the president was barely audible.

But when he declared the tenth version of the event open the group cheered in unison.

France's Thibaud Flament in action against New Zealand in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup
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France’s Thibaud Flament in motion in opposition to New Zealand within the opening match of the Rugby World Cup

The opening ceremony – a celebration of French gastronomy, tradition and artwork – was directed by Oscar-winning French actor Jean Dujardin.

There have been leaping acrobats, a large scrum involving fancy gown, and an enormous inflatable Eiffel Tower in the course of the sphere.

Hosts France beat New Zealand 29-13 within the event’s opening match.