BY TIM PARSONS
French manager, Didier Deschamps has said that his players will represent the country with more pride in their friendly against England tomorrow. The game comes four days after a total of 129 people were killed in attacks right across Paris that had a resounding effect around the world.
“We are here to represent our country and its colours blue, white and red with even more pride than we normally would,” said Deschamps.
“It has been a difficult, stressful time, but we have been together and each of us, in our way, has kept up to date with the events.
“Each player and individual has dealt with this in their own way. The main thing is that we have kept together and shared our grief.
“The match will be full of emotion but we have a duty to perform and give a good account of ourselves and represent our country in the right way.”
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Deschamps said he offered his players the chance to withdraw from the England friendly, as France observes 3 days of mourning, but the players were prepared to continue. The French Football Association had offered to the cancel the match, but this was rejected.
France captain Hugo Lloris said: “We had some concerns about the game but the president confirmed that we have to play this game.
“We respect this decision. It will be a good opportunity to represent the French nation, which is more important than French football tomorrow.
“Tuesday will be a great moment of solidarity. The last three days have been dramatic and I thin despite being at the Bata Lassana has delivered on social media.”
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Calamity has not been too far away in this tragedy for the French players, as two of them had relatives caught up in the bloody massacre that shook France up for the second time in one year. Midfielder, Lasana Diarra’s cousin Asta Diakite, was one of 129 people killed on Friday, and striker Antoine Griezmann’s sister was incredibly lucky to escape e from the Bataclan theater where 89 people died.
Both players have remained with the squad, with the former having posted a message on Twitter stating: “In this climate of terror, it is important for all of us who represent our country and its diversity to stay united against a horror which has no colour, no religion.”
Deschamps said: “We have two players who have been profoundly touched by the incidents.
“Antoine Griezmann was fortunate to have a feeling of relief and happiness, that his sister managed to stay alive despite being at the Bataclan.
“As for Lassana Diarra, his life has been touched by the deep loss of a relative who he was close to.
“It was good he stayed with us, I have talked with him, as all of us have, and his place has been a source of reassurance for us.
“We have learnt the value of unity and solidarity. I can only repeat the message Lassana has delivered on social media.”
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