France vs English worldwide ‘a display of solidarity’

Diarra had been “a source of reassurance for all of us”, Deschamps said. The outfield players made a circle to stretch their muscles.

The Frenchman missed just three Premier League games last season as his side finished fifth.

“All French people will be marked by this day”.

“Everyone reflects differently on these moments, but wearing the shirt comes above everything else in sporting terms”.

Deschamps was captain of a squad who challenged myriad preconceptions and, like alchemy, turned base ideas into gold.

“He’s been an established player for a very long time and is well thought of by his club and country because he’s captain of both”. There were lots of discussions. But we try to stay focused.

Midfielder Lassana Diarra’s cousin was killed and forward Antoine Griezmann’s sister survived the mass shooting at a concert hall in which more than 80 were gunned down.

“Obviously, sport is a symbol of everyday life”.

“Now, it’s a responsibility”.

“Lassana put it simply”, he said.

“That has always been the case”.

“We will be here with ever more pride to represent our colors, of blue, white and red, our country, proudly”, Deschamps said via the Telegraph newspaper. “We are going to show that we’re proud to be French”.

Deschamps is asked how things unfolded for his team on Friday. When it became clear what had happened, the Germans wanted to remain in the stadium and their French counterparts insisted they would stay with them until their safety was guaranteed.

“It was important for me that we stayed there with Germany. The night was very short before daybreak came around”.

Deschamps is not keen to discuss the decision to play the game. “I, like all my team-mates, respect the president’s decision”.

“We’re here now to take the field”.

“We are here to represent out country, our colours, with even more pride than before”. I know that they’ll help us to commemorate and support us before the game.

“We weren’t cut off from the world”.

“We followed it on TV and on the internet”.

England’s players and coaching staff watched footage of the attacks on television in the team hotel in Benidorm following their 2-0 defeat against Spain and Rooney described what he saw as “sickening”.

Lloris said it will be a special moment.

“It has been a hard, stressful time, but we have been together and each of us, in our way, has kept up to date with the events. It will be an opportunity to show our character through the game and our emotions”. “He’s been very strong, and we’ve all learnt the values of unity and solidarity”.

“They will stand with us during the anthem”.

France head coach Didier Deschamps added: “We shared this grief”.

“He’s been quite discreet about it. I think the French nation is maybe more important than the French football tomorrow”.

Here’s Hugo Lloris to start us off.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris will speak for ten minutes or so before Didier Deschamps comes out. In his first public appearance since Friday, the France manager spoke with remarkable composure.

Wembley fans have been urged to sing the French national anthem, with a few British newspapers printing the lyrics of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.

Armed police will be on duty at Wembley for the match, but Glenn has no security concerns.