The soccer match at the Stade de France on Friday was an exhibition game between France and visiting Germany, the 2014 World Cup champion, and part of each team’s preparations for next summer’s European Championships, which will be held throughout France.
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“During the match we heard two clear explosions, but thought they were supporters throwing bangers”, said Maria Kataja, who was visiting Paris for the weekend with her partner Iiro Riponiemi.
Reports suggest at least 120 people have been killed after the apparent co-ordinated terror attacks in the nation’s capital.
Amateur footage has captured the panic at the Stade de France in Paris, following an explosion that is reported to have been a suicide blast.
While the French president, François Hollande, was evacuated from the arena, play continued.
France won the match, 2-0, but many fans remained in the stadium afterward.
“I came out of the stadium and people are crying, “They are going to shoot me!”
“The French said that they were staying as long as Germany had to stay”, said the German Football Association’s caretaker president Reinhard Rauball.
Tanzi said the stadium was opened and about 1,000 people had gathered on the pitch.
“We are all shattered and shocked”, Germany manager Joachim Low told ARD.
The blast was one of a series of attacks across the city, including a siege at Bataclan concert hall. “For me personally the sport takes a back seat”. Hollande, speaking later, closed the borders and declared a state of emergency. “They picked up their phones right away to call home”.
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L’Equipe reported Philippe Tournon, the press chief for the French national team, said Tuesday’s scheduled global friendly against England would not go ahead.
