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France to face England

Alex ChafferNovember 14, 2015

Despite the terror attacks on the French capital of Paris on Friday evening, the French football federation has confirmed that its international fixture against England will go ahead next week in London as scheduled.

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Fußball Länderspiel Frankreich - Deutschland
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/M. Hangst

The French football federation has decided it will play its international friendly match against England, as scheduled, on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium.

After the attacks on the French capital through Friday evening, during the international friendly between France and Germany, there was a security concern ahead of the proposed friendly in London on Tuesday.

The English football association, however, released a statement in support of the fixture being played.

"Following the tragic events in Paris The FA has this morning held discussions with our French counterparts. During the conversation the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) made it clear that they still wish to play against us on Tuesday night at Wembley Stadium.

"Furthermore, we have liaised extensively with, and taken advice from Government and the relevant authorities, who are also in support of the decision to fulfil the fixture. FA Chairman Greg Dyke said: “Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the city of Paris after these terrible atrocities. On behalf of The FA, I want to express our sorrow and send our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those who have lost their lives.

“After consulting this morning with the French Football Federation and the British Government, we have decided together that the match between our two countries at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night should go ahead. We will use the opportunity to pay our respects to all affected and also to express our solidarity with the people of France.”

Since the announcement that the fixture would go ahead as scheduled, fans of both countries have earged each other to sing the French national anthem as one before the start of the friendly on Tuesday.