England’s international football friendly with France at Wembley will go ahead as planned on Tuesday, the French Football Federation has announced.
The match had been in question following the Paris terror attacks on Friday night which left at least 128 people dead. One of the attacks took place near the Stade de France, where Les Bleus were playing Germany in a friendly.
However, the FFF announced in a statement yesterday: “President Noel Le Graet confirmed on Saturday that the match between England and France scheduled for Tuesday November 17 at Wembley will still take place.”
UEFA issued a statement yesterday morning regarding the attacks.
It read: “UEFA is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events which occurred in Paris last night and wishes to express its support and solidarity to France and to those affected by these horrible acts.”
The Football Association said the FFF had made it clear they wanted the friendly to go ahead.
FA chairman Greg Dyke added in a statement: “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.”
While that match is going ahead, a host of sporting events in France have been postponed after the French government declared a national state of emergency and closed its borders after at least six attacks were reported across Paris.
The FFF had also cancelled a France press conference and open training session scheduled for yesterday, with the French team training behind closed doors at their Clairefontaine base instead.
Les Bleus remained in the Stade de France dressing rooms along with the Germany team until the early hours of yesterday morning in what has been described as an “outstanding gesture of camaraderie” by the German Football Association’s caretaker president Reinhard Rauball.
That spirit of camaraderie has resonated across the world of sport, with messages of support pouring in from players, clubs and governing bodies for the victims of the Paris tragedy while various tributes are being held at events this weekend.
UEFA also said that all of its matches in the Euro 2016 play-offs, Under-21 Internationals and Under-19 Futsal Cup over the coming days would see players wear black armbands.