Half of French top-flight games off amid security fears over anti-government riots

Half of this weekend’s French league football matches have now been postponed amid security concerns about antigovernment protests across the country.

Angers against Bordeaux, initially planned for Saturday, was the latest addition to the list of postponements, taking the total to five.

The previously announced postponements are: Monaco v Nice, which had been scheduled for Friday; Saint-etienne v Marseille, slated for Sunday; and Paris Saint-germain v Montpellier and Toulouse v. Lyon on Saturday.

In each case, government or police authorities requested the postponement. France’s government is diverting police resources to deploy extra security around the country amid threats of new protests on Saturday. Recent demonstrations against fuel tax rises and other grievances have resulted in rioting, looting and hundreds of injuries.

The league says the matches will be rescheduled.