France's game against England can demonstrate world
football is united against the perpetrators of the Paris
attacks, says Roy Hodgson.
England manager Roy Hodgson believes the friendly with France
at Wembley on Tuesday will provide an opportunity to show
"solidarity" in the face of the Paris terror attacks.
A series of what appeared to be co-ordinated terrorist attacks
claimed the lives of 129 people in Paris on Friday night, with a
further 99 critically injured according the latest figures released
by French officials.
The Stade de France was the target of a bomb blast during
France's 2-0 win over Germany, with three deaths confirmed
after the match.
Fans remained inside the ground and on the playing surface for
a long period after the final whistle, while players from both
teams spent the night at the stadium before Germany flew back
to Frankfurt on Saturday morning.
The tragic events immediately placed doubt around the prospect
of France travelling to face England next week but the French
Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Saturday that the game
would go ahead as planned.
In a statement released on the Football Association's official
website, Hodgson detailed how the English governing body
reached out to their French counterparts after their own national
team's 2-0 loss to Spain on Friday.
He added that the game in London provides the opportunity to
demonstrate that "the football world is united against these
atrocities".
"On behalf of the England coaching staff and players, I would
like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the French nation at
this extremely difficult time," Hodgson said.
"The events in Paris have left us all shocked and we are thinking
of the victims, their loved ones and all those affected by these
tragic events.
"Shortly after the match last night [Friday] the FA contacted the
FFF to express our deep sympathy and ask if they wanted to go
ahead with Tuesday's scheduled game at Wembley Stadium.
"Today [Saturday] the FFF has informed us they would still like
to play the fixture. We respect that decision and will prepare
accordingly – both on and off the pitch.
"The match will be a serious occasion but one that shows that
the football world is united against these atrocities.
"I'm sure the England team and our fans will play their part and
show solidarity with our French friends on Tuesday evening and
provide support for both teams during this difficult time."
All UEFA-sanctioned matches over the coming days, including
the Euro 2016 play-offs, will be preceded by a minute's silence,
while teams involved in these fixtures will also wear black
armbands as a mark of respect.
football is united against the perpetrators of the Paris
attacks, says Roy Hodgson.
England manager Roy Hodgson believes the friendly with France
at Wembley on Tuesday will provide an opportunity to show
"solidarity" in the face of the Paris terror attacks.
A series of what appeared to be co-ordinated terrorist attacks
claimed the lives of 129 people in Paris on Friday night, with a
further 99 critically injured according the latest figures released
by French officials.
The Stade de France was the target of a bomb blast during
France's 2-0 win over Germany, with three deaths confirmed
after the match.
Fans remained inside the ground and on the playing surface for
a long period after the final whistle, while players from both
teams spent the night at the stadium before Germany flew back
to Frankfurt on Saturday morning.
The tragic events immediately placed doubt around the prospect
of France travelling to face England next week but the French
Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Saturday that the game
would go ahead as planned.
In a statement released on the Football Association's official
website, Hodgson detailed how the English governing body
reached out to their French counterparts after their own national
team's 2-0 loss to Spain on Friday.
He added that the game in London provides the opportunity to
demonstrate that "the football world is united against these
atrocities".
"On behalf of the England coaching staff and players, I would
like to pass on our heartfelt condolences to the French nation at
this extremely difficult time," Hodgson said.
"The events in Paris have left us all shocked and we are thinking
of the victims, their loved ones and all those affected by these
tragic events.
"Shortly after the match last night [Friday] the FA contacted the
FFF to express our deep sympathy and ask if they wanted to go
ahead with Tuesday's scheduled game at Wembley Stadium.
"Today [Saturday] the FFF has informed us they would still like
to play the fixture. We respect that decision and will prepare
accordingly – both on and off the pitch.
"The match will be a serious occasion but one that shows that
the football world is united against these atrocities.
"I'm sure the England team and our fans will play their part and
show solidarity with our French friends on Tuesday evening and
provide support for both teams during this difficult time."
All UEFA-sanctioned matches over the coming days, including
the Euro 2016 play-offs, will be preceded by a minute's silence,
while teams involved in these fixtures will also wear black
armbands as a mark of respect.
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