France
France confirm England friendly at Wembley to go ahead
France

France confirm England friendly at Wembley to go ahead

Published Nov. 14, 2015 8:50 a.m. ET

England's friendly with France at Wembley on Tuesday is set to go ahead as planned.

The game has been in doubt since terror attacks on Paris on Friday night which claimed the lives of 127 people and included suicide attacks on the Stade de France, where president Francois Hollande was watching the friendly between France and Germany.

However, the FA said on Saturday that it had been decided that the match would take place, following discussions with the French Football Federation.

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Co-ordinated attacks on Friday night left the French capital paralyzed, with Hollande having to be driven away from the game after loud explosions were heard just outside the city - he later declared a state of emergency and tightened the country's borders.

Three people died in the explosions at the Stade de France, with two blasts occurring at entrances to the stadium and the third at a nearby McDonalds.

Sporting events in and around Paris were postponed for the rest of the weekend, with all of the European rugby matches due to be played across France also called off.

However, the FFF announced in a statement: "President Noel Le Graet confirmed on Saturday that the match between England and France scheduled for Tuesday November 17 (8pm local time) at Wembley will still take place."

And the FA subsequently released a statement which read: "Following the tragic events in Paris, the FA has this morning held discussions with our French counterparts.

"First and foremost, we passed on our deepest condolences to those involved in these truly awful incidents. The thoughts of everyone at The FA, our manager Roy Hodgson, his players and our supporters are with the French nation.

"During the conversation the Federation Francaise de Football (FFF) made it clear that they still wish to play against us on Tuesday night at Wembley Stadium.

"In solidarity with the FFF, we fully respect and support this decision for the fixture to go ahead.

"Furthermore, we have liaised extensively with, and taken advice from Government and the relevant authorities, who are also in support of the decision to fulfill the fixture.

"Along with the FFF, we will discuss how to appropriately mark the tragic incidents at Tuesday's fixture."

FA chairman Greg Dyke added: "Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the city of Paris after these terrible atrocities.

"On behalf of The FA, I want to express our sorrow and send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives.

"After consulting this morning with the French Football Federation and the British Government, we have decided together that the match between our two countries at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night should go ahead.

"We will use the opportunity to pay our respects to all affected and also to express our solidarity with the people of France."

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