French Sports Minister Patrick Kanner said on Tuesday there was “no question” of cancelling Euro 2016 in France despite last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris. Understandably, after a traumatic few days, France found the going tough on the Wembley turf. It was a strongly emotional experience.
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In total, attacks across the city claimed 129 lives, including that of Asta Diakite, the cousin of France midfielder Lassana Diarra. Diarra has been an incredible example of dignity and courage in these tough moments. The centre, under the interior ministry, recommended the cancellation of the match after the terrorist threat level was Monday raised to three, or severe, for the whole country, representing a possible and credible threat, according to a statement.
Deschamps and his team stayed at the Stade de France until 2.55 a.m. that night for two reasons. The teams spent the night in the stadium as carnage struck elsewhere.
The French team arrived back at their Clairefontaine HQ, an hour south of Paris, just before 4.00 a.m. At that time, the news had really sunk in.
While many suggested the game should be called off, the French FA was quick to stress its desire for the match to go ahead. It was incredible. The players had the desire to play but I don’t want to underplay England’s victory. They played their part. “We had doubts, concerns”.
Lloris said: “We have to thank the English for the reception they gave us, for their support”.
France’s Hugo Lloris applauds the fans at the end of the game. It has been a hard, stressful time, but we have been together and each of us, in our way, has kept up to date with the events.
But the match was always secondary on a night of high emotion.
The incident came after Martial had worked brilliantly to worm his way past a number of England players and into the box, looking like he was about to pull the trigger on a shot when Alli put in a strong challenge to dispossess him and send the Frenchman tumbling to the ground.
“Now, more than ever, we must come together and stand united and carry on with the way of life that we know and that we love”, he told parliament.
“We were all united in this moment of communion, which obviously lifts the spirits because you feel it in your heart. I will stop here because I don’t have the words anymore”.
A report of the match in the magazine France Football read: “When La Marseillaise was sung, it was much more than an anthem that the French and English shared”.
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With a police helicopter whirring overhead and armed officers on patrol, England and France soccer fans had mingled outside Wembley in a calm atmosphere on a wet and windy evening in London.
