Diarra’s ‘big sister’ was victim of attacks

FRANCE midfielder Lassana Diarra has confirmed his cousin was among the victims of Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris.

The former Chelsea, Arsenal and Portsmouth player, writing on Twitter, published a message in which he confirmed that his cousin Asta Diakite, who he referred to as his ‘big sister’, had died.

The 30-year-old Marseille star had been playing for France against Germany at the Stade de France as the carnage was taking place around the city.

Diarra (right), who was born in Paris, added in his message: ‘In this climate of terror, it is important for all of us who are representatives of our country and its diversity, to speak and to remain united against a horror that has no colour, no religion.’

Diarra’s teammate, Antoine Griezmann, has also revealed his sister escaped safely from the attack on Paris’s Bataclan Theatre.

After the match, the Atletico Madrid player’s focus was occupied by the wellbeing of his sister, Maud, who was at the concert held by the American rock band Eagles of Death Metal. He wrote: ‘My thoughts are with the victims of the attacks. God take care of my sister and the French people.’

Around three hours later, he wrote: ‘Thanks to God my sister was able to get out of the Bataclan. All my prayers are with the victims and their families.’

Three suicide bombers died outside the Stade de France in blasts which could be heard inside the stadium during the match.

At the end of the game, which France won 2-0, players watched the news unfolding on monitors inside the tunnel.

Former Liverpool and Sunderland striker Djibril Cisse revealed just how close his Paris home was from some of the worst scenes of carnage.

The Frenchman posted the view from his window in the French capital on Twitter, showing he was dangerously close to the attacks, which were coordinated across the city.

Cisse wrote in French: ‘What a shock to see this horror out of my window, a thought to the victims.’