Lassana Diarra, the France midfielder, has revealed that his cousin was killed during the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday night.
Advertisement
Diarra, who played in France’s game against at the Stade de France where one of the attacks took place, took to Twitter to confirm that his cousin had tragically been killed.
Diarra was playing for France against Germany in Stade de France during the attacks, which included an attempted bombing of the stadium.
The stadium was one of several locations that was also targeted by attackers on Friday and, about 30 minutes into the game, an explosion could be heard by fans watching the friendly before two others followed, prompting President Francois Hollande to be evacuated.
The official death toll from the attacks are so far at 129, with 352 people understood to be injured.
“Good evening. Following the dramatic events yesterday in Paris and Saint-Denis, it is with heavy heart that I rise today”, he wrote.
As you may have read, I was touched personally by the attacks. She was, for me, a source of support; a big sister.
“In this atmosphere of terror, it’s very important for all of us who are representing our country and its diversity to talk and stay close together in front of something disgusting, which has no color and no religion”.
Advertisement
All sporting events due to be staged in Paris this weekend were postponed, but the French Football Federation confirmed Tuesday’s match with England at Wembley will go ahead as planned. “Thank you to all of you for your testimonies and your messages, take care of yourself and your loved ones, and (I hope) that our victims rest in peace”.
