The march, held just hours before kick-off, was kept away from the Stadio Friuli, which has been designated a high-risk venue despite a recently brokered ceasefire in Gaza.
Shops and restaurants in central Udine remained closed, while those that opened were ordered to remove outdoor furniture and objects that could be used as weapons. Police erected roadblocks around the stadium, declared a “red zone,” allowing only ticketed fans to enter. The Israeli team bus was given maximum security escort as it left its hotel, as authorities worked to avoid confrontations between demonstrators and match-goers.
