Hugo Lloris backs call to play England friendly

by Agence France-Presse
Reuters

London - France captain Hugo Lloris said on Monday that Tuesday's friendly against England will enable his team-mates to temporarily "escape" from the horror of the devastating attacks that hit Paris.

French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet pressed for the game at Wembley to go ahead despite last Friday's rolling attacks in the French capital, which left 129 people dead and over 350 injured.

The Stade de France was targeted by suicide bombers as France played Germany, while France midfielder Lassana Diarra lost a female cousin in the attacks and forward Antoine Griezmann's sister escaped unhurt from the assault on the Bataclan theatre.

"The president (Le Graet) made the best decision, I think, to play this game," Lloris, who plays in goal for English side Tottenham Hotspur, told a press conference at Wembley.

"Of course we are human and we had doubts, whether to play or not, to go home or stay together, but I think it was well managed by the coach and the technical staff.

"The last three days were a bit dramatic. We were in mourning all together, we spent some time at Clairefontaine (France's national training centre).

"We will try to escape from it for one hour and 30 minutes. There will be a lot of emotion from the players, but it will be a great moment of solidarity.

"It will be an opportunity for us to show character and share this moment with all the English people."

The Digest

England vs. France: Full coverage of emotional friendly at Wembley

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The Three Lions, along with the whole of England, opened their arms in friendship and welcomed France - both its national team and fans - to its grandest football stadium on Tuesday, as Wembley played host to an emotional international friendly four days after the devastating terror attacks that left 129 dead, and many more injured, in Paris.

Here's everything you need to know about a 2-0 win for England that was about so much more than just football:

PRE-MATCH COVERAGE

NEWS

PHOTOS

TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF PARIS ATTACKS

NEWS

PHOTOS

VIDEOS

MATCH COVERAGE

VIDEOS

NEWS

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