Henry says England-France match will show 'we remain strong and united'

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Suzanne Plunkett / Reuters

France legend Thierry Henry believes going ahead with Tuesday's friendly meeting between England and his homeland is a show of "solidarity" in the wake of the atrocities in Paris on Friday.

Henry was born in the French capital, while his brother works at a train station in the city and his parents still remain in a Parisian suburb, so he was frantically contacting family and friends to learn of their well-being after the attacks.

"There was an overwhelming sense of relief when I was told that all my people were safe - but it didn't lessen the impact of the sadness I was feeling," Henry said in the column for The Sun.

"I spoke to people who were out in Paris on Friday and they told me of the chaos of the night, of people running and screaming.

"I have been to the Bataclan venue many times and, like all Parisians, I know the area where the attacks took place very well."

The former Arsenal forward has talked to numerous members of the national side after what he describes as "an attack on the whole world," and while he doesn't know how the tie at Wembley Stadium was sanctioned to go ahead, he supports what will be a defiant message in the face of terrorism.

"That solidarity will be on show for everyone to see (on Tuesday) evening," he said.

"We can offer up our prayers for strength and safety and show the world how we are all in this together."

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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