Roy Hodgson urges England fans to respect tributes

17 November 2015 08:16

Roy Hodgson has called on England fans to respect the minute's silence that will take place before Tuesday's friendly against France at Wembley.

Four days after armed terrorists wreaked havoc on the streets of Paris, France will take on England in London.

Extra security measures will be in place - armed police will be on patrol - and tributes to the victims of the attacks, which claimed 129 lives, will occur.

A minute's silence will be observed before kick-off, black armbands will be worn by the players and officials and the Wembley arch will be lit up in the red, white and blue colours of the French tricolor.

The words of La Marseillaise will be put on the big screens inside the stadium if England fans want to sing along.

Hodgson admits it will be difficult for England fans who do not speak French to join in with La Marseillaise, but does not think it should be a problem for the supporters to respect the minute's silence.

"We hope the ceremonies will be respected," the England manager said.

"If there's one thing that I truly wish for it is that we show the respect I'd expect every single Englishman to show."

England captain Wayne Rooney, who will present a floral tribute to his opposite number Hugo Lloris before kick-off, feels the fact that the match is taking place will send a clear and defiant message to the terrorists who shocked the world with their barbarity.

"I'm happy the game's on," Rooney said.

"It shows France wants to show these terrorists they're standing strong against them, and we have to support that.

"Tomorrow will be a great night of togetherness for everyone to see, for the terrorists to see the world will go on and stand against them."

The FA is urging supporters to get to the stadium early as it will take longer to get into the stadium. All bags will be checked.

The FA is expecting a near-full house at Wembley, which holds 90,000.

Thousands more tickets have been sold since the attacks. Fewer than 100 tickets have been returned.

Kensington Palace confirmed on the eve of the match that the Duke of Cambridge will be in attendance.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said there was "no specific intelligence" about an attack at the friendly similar to the ones that occurred outside the Stade de France.

"There is a physical presence now around Wembley. It's safe anyway," he said.

Hodgson, meanwhile, has confirmed that he will field an inexperienced line-up after his squad was hit by a spate of injuries.

Sixteen regulars are out, so six players under 22 will start.

Eric Dier, Dele Alli, Raheem Sterling, John Stones, Harry Kane and Ross Barkley seem to be the most likely candidates.

Hodgson admits it is unlikely he will start with Jesse Lingard, who was called into the squad on Sunday despite playing just 193 minutes of Premier League football.

"I don't think he'll start. He might well play," Hodgson said.

Source: PA