France, England soccer teams unite in defiance, respect
London, November 18
Uniting in a symbol of defiance and respect, players and fans of the French and English soccer teams delivered a moving display of solidarity at Wembley Stadium at a friendly staged four days after the deadly attacks in Paris.
A touching pre-game ceremony saw England and France supporters sing the French national anthem as one, before the squads came together around the centre circle for an impeccably observed minute of silence in honour of the 129 people killed.
Social media was awash with praise for the dignified way a sensitive occasion was handled, while French sports daily L'Equipe's front page today comprised a photo of the players observing the minute's silence with the single word "Respect." Wembley's iconic arch was lit up in the blue, white, and red of the French flag, while the French motto "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite" was projected on the front of the national stadium.
England won 2-0, but rarely has the result of a soccer match particularly one this prestigious felt so irrelevant.
"This will be shown round the world and will show unity," said England captain Wayne Rooney, one of the team's goal-scorers.
"Football is a global game and it is not about religion or race. We need to stand tall together in these tough times." France striker Olivier Giroud said it was an emotionally charged occasion, "illustrated by the minute's silence and 'La Marseillaise (France's national anthem).'" "We wanted to play this match for all the people who have stayed in Paris, to pay homage and to honour the victims and their families," Giroud said. "Everyone who played the match is a professional player. Even if it wasn't easy, we had to do our job on the pitch."
Prince William, who helped lay floral tributes beside the field, and British Prime Minister David Cameron were among the 71,223 spectators at Wembley, where there was an increased police presence and enhanced security measures that included compulsory bag searches.
With a police helicopter whirring overhead and armed officers on patrol, England and France soccer fans had mingled outside Wembley in a calm pre-match atmosphere on a wet and windy evening in London. There was no sense of panic among supporters, who appeared intent on sending a defiant message of unity after the bombings in the French capital. — AP
