Hodgson proud of Wembley tribute

That match had been due to take place in Brussels, where police have carried out raids in the wake of the Paris attacks. That too is scheduled to go ahead with the hosts in no mood to give in to the terrorists and cancel such a key event. “We were aware but we had faith in the security measures here and that the game would go ahead without incident”, he said. Over 70,000 spectators participated in singing the Marseillaise yesterday evening (17 Nov) during a friendly match between England and France.

England captain Wayne Rooney expressed concern for victims of the Paris terror attacks and relief his teammates were safe.

Historian Dan Snow on Tuesday wrote that despite historical differences: “We have always been France’s twin”.

It’s been nearly four days since terrorist tragically killed 132 people in Paris and injured almost 400 others, many of them critically.

He wrote in his column for The Sun that he expects fans to band together.

This match is eerily reminiscent of American sports in the weeks following the 9/11 attacks. “Friday’s Paris atrocities have united people from every part of the planet”.

“What they did for us was very strong, very moving”.

Thierry Henry encouraged a show of solidarity at the England-France friendly.

England manager Roy Hodgson embraced his counterpart Didier Deschamps before three floral tributes were laid in the technical areas by a group of dignitaries including HRH The Duke Of Cambridge, Prime Minister David Cameron, French Secretary Of State for Urban Affairs, Youth And Sport Patrick Kanner, FA chairman Greg Dyke and FFF President Noel Le Graet.

It was followed by that gloriously unified version of “La Marseillaise” and a perfectly-observed minute’s silence, during which one French fan, draped in the Tricolore, removed his glasses to wipe away tears with the colours of his country.

The arch spanning the stadium was lit up in the blue, white and red of the French flag, and the French motto “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite” was projected on the front of the stadium with French flags on either side. There will also be a one-minute moment of silence for the victims before the match begins.

Sagna has been a key player for City this season, starting 11 Premier League games and impressing with his defensive quality. Everything that happened on Friday will stay with us for a long time. “We had a lack of aggression and concentration but I think maybe it’s a bit normal”, Lloris said.

And Deschamps confirmed after the conclusion of the match that Martial picked up a foot problem and that is why he was replaced by Antoine Griezmann just after the hour mark.

“It will be the same feeling tonight”.