France captain Hugo Lloris said Tuesday’s friendly against England will enable his teammates 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.
[England train ahead of France friendly — in pictures]
“The president (Le Graet) made the best decision, I think, to play this game,” Lloris, who plays in goal for and captains 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).
[Wayne Rooney offers condolences over 'sickening' Paris terrorist attacks]
“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.”
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