French President Macron jeered at opening ceremony for Rugby World Cup

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French President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he stands alongside Bill Beaumont, the chairperson of World Rugby, during the opening ceremony before the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

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Actor Jean Dujardin performs during the opening ceremony before the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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French President Emmanuel Macron, right, shakes hands with Bill Beaumont, the chairperson of World Rugby, during the opening ceremony before the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023 (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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The Patrouille de France flying over the Stade de France during the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup ahead of the Pool A match between France and New Zealand, in Saint Denis , north of Paris, Friday, Sept, 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

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Actor Jean Dujardin arrives during the opening ceremony before the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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Artists performer during the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup ahead of the Pool A match between France and New Zealand, in Saint Denis , north of Paris, Friday, Sept, 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

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An artists performers during the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup ahead of the Pool A match between France and New Zealand, in Saint Denis , north of Paris, Friday, Sept, 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

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Performers form a ‘scrum’ during the opening ceremony just before the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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An Eiffel Tower is displayed during the opening ceremony just before the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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French actor Jean Dujardin is hoisted in the air during the opening ceremony ahead of the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

By JEROME PUGMIRE

PARIS (AP) — Moments after the opening ceremony for the Rugby World Cup, French President Emmanuel Macron was jeered by fans at Stade de France when he walked onto the field.

Chants of “Allez Les Bleus” rang out around the stadium but some of the jeering continued, before other fans broke out into spontaneous chants of the national anthem, “La Marseillaise.”

Macron, whose unpopular pension plan has led to social tensions, stood with his arms folded and applauded World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont after he finished his speech.

When it was Macron’s turn to speak, the boos became even louder and he was barely audible at first. The crowd cheered in unison only at the end when Macron declared the 10th edition of the tournament open.

The opening ceremony was performed under the directorial supervision of Oscar-winning French actor Jean Dujardin. He walked out in a sleeveless white T-shirt suited to the sweltering conditions.

The ceremony was a celebration of French gastronomy, culture and art. It featured leaping acrobats, a giant scrum with dozens in fancy dress, and a massive inflatable Eiffel Tower which rose in the middle of the field.

At one point, Dujardin was hoisted aloft above it.

The performers went off to a standing ovation, but the mood turned sour quickly when Macron walked out.

France and New Zealand met in the opening match afterward.

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AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby