French national team to play England in act of defiance

People walk past Wembley Stadium bearing images of two French flags and the words translated from French "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" as a mark of respect to the victims of the deadly attacks in Paris, Monday, Nov. 16, 2015. French police raided more than 150 locations overnight as authorities released the names of two more potential suicide bombers involved in the Paris attacks— one born in Syria, the other a Frenchman wanted as part of a terrorism investigation. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

By Associated Press November 16, 2015 2 min read

LONDON (AP) – The Wembley Arch will be illuminated in the red, white and blue of the French flag. The French motto, “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite” will be projected onto the front of the stadium. The words of “La Marseillaise,” France’s national anthem, will be shown on giant screens so that England fans can sing along with their French counterparts.

A match between the England and France soccer teams on Tuesday – a game that what supposed to serve as a valuable warm-up ahead of next year’s European Championship – has been transformed into a poignant act of defiance, solidarity and sporting unity.

Three days after being caught up in the synchronized attacks in Paris that killed 129 people, France’s players have traveled to London for the game at England’s national stadium, where there will be a beefed-up security presence and increased checks outside the ground.

For the French Football Federation, the show must go on.

“France is standing,” FFF president Noel Le Graet said. “Football also.”