European games largely incident-free as tight security works

Paris Saint Germain's forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden observes a minute of silence in memory of the victims of last Friday's Paris attacks, at the Lorient Stadium before the French League One soccer match between Lorient and Paris Saint Germain, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, in Lorient, western France. (AP Photo/David Vincent) Paris Saint Germain's forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Sweden observes a minute of silence in memory of the victims of last Friday's Paris attacks, at the Lorient Stadium before the French League One soccer match between Lorient and Paris Saint Germain, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015, in Lorient, western France. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

By Associated Press November 21, 2015 8 min read

PARIS (AP) – Stadiums were on high security alert on Saturday, as domestic leagues around Europe resumed a week after the deadly attacks in Paris that took 130 lives and left hundreds more injured.

Security measures were stepped up everywhere in wake of the attacks, which began with explosions outside Stade de France – where France was playing Germany last Friday night – and carried on elsewhere on a brutal night of bloodshed that shocked the watching world.

What would normally have been billed as mouth-watering contests on Saturday between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Manchester City and Liverpool, and Juventus and AC Milan were all played amid a tense atmosphere. Fans – and even journalists – were subjected to far more stringent searches than usual and some armed police looked on.

But on a somber day of reflection, it was more about doves flying in the air, impeccably observed minutes of silence and moving words scribbled on banners.

Although there was some trouble in Germany and in the Greek city of Athens, this was fan-related and not related to an outside danger.