Rivals to pull together in aftermath of attack
ENGLAND and France’s 92-year-old football rivalry will witness its most solemn chapter at Wembley today when the teams unite in solidarity four days after the Paris terror attacks.
Friday’s attacks touched football closely, with three suicide bombers blowing themselves up outside the Stade de France as France played Germany in a friendly international.
The cousin of France midfielder Lassana Diarra was one of the 129 people killed, while the sister of his teammate, Antoine Griezmann, escaped unhurt from the assault on the Bataclan concert hall.
But the French Football Federation (FFF) insisted that tonight’s game should go ahead and it is now being seen as an opportunity to put on a united front, with a social media campaign urging England’s fans to join in with the French national anthem La Marseillaise before kick-off.
“The match will be a serious occasion, but one that shows that the football world is united against these atrocities,” England manager Roy Hodgson said.
England’s Football Association is expecting a crowd of over 70 000 for the game – including 1 400 travelling supporters.
Fans attending the match can expect a visible security presence outside the stadium and have been urged to arrive early as security checks are expected to take longer than usual.
There were several shows of solidarity in London over the weekend, with the giant arch above Wembley lit up in red, white and blue in the immediate aftermath of the attacks.
Players from both teams will sport black armbands and there will be a minute’s silence before the game.
In an effort to assist fans who wish to join in with La Marseillaise, the FA will broadcast the words to the 220year-old battle hymn on the stadium’s display screens while it is playing.
Some of coach Didier Deschamps’ players were reportedly reluctant to play so soon after Friday’s harrowing events, but all 23 will make the trip.
Confirming the death of his cousin, Asta Diakite, Diarra wrote on Twitter: “In this climate of terror, it is important for all of us who are representatives of our country and its diversity to speak out and remain united against a horror that has neither colour nor religion.”
While the explosions outside the Stade de France could clearly be heard by those inside, it was not until after the game that the players were made aware of what had happened there and elsewhere in the city.
England, led by captain Wayne Rooney, are believed to be planning a tribute for today’s game.
France are seeking to record a sixth successive win, while England are hoping to return to winning ways after their 15-game unbeaten run was ended by Spain.
Manchester United winger Jesse Lingard, 22, could make his senior England debut after being drafted into the squad following the withdrawals of Michael Carrick and Jamie Vardy. — AFP