By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) -France qualified for the quarter-finals of the Nations League despite a lacklustre goalless draw against Israel on Thursday in front of a record low crowd at the Stade de France due to security fears around the game.

After the recent violence around an Israeli team’s game in Amsterdam, French leaders insisted on proceeding under security with a France-Israel match, and on showing up, themselves.

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Paris on Thursday ahead of a soccer match between France and Israel. Authorities were on high alert following violence in Amsterdam before and after a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.