Over the weekend, Paris suffered its worst human tragedy since WWII. The Paris attacks have dominated headlines across the world since Friday, and rightfully so. The sporting universe has taken time to reflect and pause on all the lives lost.
Tottenham Hotspur first team goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is a Frenchman, and the North London club Tweeted out this message on Friday:
The thoughts of everyone at the Club are with Hugo and all those in Paris.
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 14, 2015
A very classy move by Tottenham, Spurs rival, Arsenal tweeted a similar message, as did Thierry Henry and Anthony Martial.
Tomorrow night France is scheduled to play England in a friendly at London. The match will go on in light of the tragedy, and English fans plan to sing “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem, at the England National Stadium. Here’s video footage of French football fans singing the upon evacuating the Stade de France.
Lloris, speaking at a press conference at Wembley, supports the decision to keep playing the match.
“During this type of event, I think we obviously wanted to be close to our families. Everything happened very quickly in terms of the decision that needed to be taken,” Lloris said.
“But we weren’t cut off from the world at all. We were with each other and we talked a lot about these tragic events. We followed everything that happened either via TV or the internet.”
“We’re human — naturally we had some doubts about whether we should play or not, whether we should return to our families or stay together.
“But I think that all of that was very well managed by the coach, the technical staff and the president.”
Lloris also said that he’s very touched by all the tributes to France that have come in from England, and the rest of the world.
“We’re very touched by all the messages of support from across the world as well but more precisely in England and here in London. I know the English very well. They’re very respectful when it comes to things like this.”
“And tomorrow they’ll certainly commemorate with us during the national anthems and throughout before the game.”
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and sometimes writes The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. The website is also featured on News Now.
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