In Act of Defiance, French Football Team to Play England Tonight

During the attacks, France’s Lassana Diarra’s cousin was killed & Antoine Griezmann’s sister made a narrow escape

The Wembley Arch is illuminated in the red, white and blue of the French flag. The French motto, “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite” is projected onto the front of the stadium. The words of “La Marseillaise,” France’s national anthem, will be shown on giant screens so that England fans can sing along with their French counterparts.

A match between the England and France soccer teams on Tuesday — a game that what supposed to serve as a valuable warm-up ahead of next year’s European Championship — has been transformed into a poignant act of defiance, solidarity and sporting unity.

Three days after being caught up in the synchronized attacks in Paris that killed 129 people, France’s players traveled to London for the game at England’s national stadium, where there will be a beefed-up presence of armed security and increased checks outside the ground.

During the co-ordinated strikes, France midfielder Lassana Diarra’s cousin was killed and France forward Antoine Griezmann’s sister escaped from the Bataclan concert hall where 89 people died.

We have two in the squad who were profoundly touched by the terrible incidents. I’ve conversed with both the lads, as I have a lot of the players. His (Lassana’s) presence has been a sense of reassurance for us because he has been very strong. He, like us, has learned the values of unity and solidarity.

Didier Deschamps, France coach

The English FA left the decision over whether the game should go ahead entirely in the hands of French soccer officials, with Le Graet giving the go-ahead without consulting France’s players. England manager Roy Hodgson said the symbolism of the game taking place was more important than the result.

We can’t deny the seriousness of the occasion ... unfortunately that will be lingering over everyone, whether we like it or not. I’ve never (been involved in) a game four days after a tragedy of this immense proportion. I can’t deny there are other issues at stake that are greater than the game of football.

Roy Hodgson, England coach

On Friday, suicide bombers attacked the Stade de France in Paris, where France was playing Germany in an international friendly. The teams spent the night in the stadium as violence struck elsewhere in the French capital, during which time France midfielder Lassana Diarra’s cousin was killed and France forward Antoine Griezmann’s sister escaped from the Bataclan concert hall where 89 people died.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks.