FA to hold talks with FFF as attacks leave England-France friendly in doubt

14 November 2015 08:31

The FA will hold talks with its French counterparts on Saturday to see whether next week's friendly against England at Wembley should go ahead following the terrorist attacks in Paris.

France declared a national state of emergency and closed its borders on Friday night after at least 100 people were killed in multiple terrorist attacks in the country's capital.

At least six attacks have been reported across Paris, including two suicide attacks and a bombing near the Stade de France, where Les Bleus were playing Germany.

France are due to play England in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday, but that fixture is now in doubt.

The FA will speak to the French Football Federation (FFF) over the next 24 hours to ask whether the game should go ahead.

''It is a very serious and tragic matter," an FA spokesman said following England's 2-0 defeat to Spain in Alicante on Friday.

''If there is any update on the match on Tuesday we will announce in due course.

''We will liaise with the French Football Federation over the weekend.

''The FA sends its deep condolences to the victims of this tragic event but to say anything else would be inappropriate.''

When asked whether the match was likely to be cancelled, FFF media officer Philippe Tournon told Press Association Sport: ''No decision has been made.''

FFF president Noel Le Great said in a statement: "The French Football Federation shares the emotion that shakes the nation following the tragic events of Friday in Paris and around the Stade de France.

"The FFF shares the grief of the bereaved families and relatives."

The FFF later confirmed it had cancelled a France press conference and open training session scheduled for Saturday.

The French will train behind closed doors at their Clairefontaine base instead.

The attacks raise serious concerns about fans' safety at Euro 2016, which is being held in France.

Le Great told L'Equipe: "For the Euro, there was already a big worry. Today it's obviously even stronger."

A number of players took to social media to express their dismay at the attacks.

England defender Chris Smalling tweeted: "Puts everything into perspective when such tragedies happen. Thoughts and prayers are with all the people in Paris #PrayForParis."

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial and Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma tweeted the 'Pray for Paris' image that was shared by many on social media outlets after the attacks.

England suffered their first defeat since the World Cup on Friday when they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Spain in Alicante.

Mario Gaspar scored a stunning acrobatic volley to put the European champions ahead before Santi Cazorla rounded off the win.

Roy Hodgson, who was already without 15 regulars through injury, watched on in dismay as Michael Carrick was carried off on a stretcher after twisting his right ankle.

The Manchester United midfielder now looks set for a long layoff.

''Michael Carrick doesn't look good,'' the England manager said.

''He's got a severely twisted ankle which normally means ligament damage. We won't know that of course until he's had an X-ray or a scan tomorrow, but it doesn't look good.''

Source: PA