This story is free to read.

French league games going ahead because “life must go on”

FILE - This is a Friday Nov. 13, 2015 file photo of spectators as gather the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer France against Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 in Saint Denis, outside Paris. French sports minister Patrick Kanner praised security officials at the Stade de France for keeping their nerves when faced with the attacks that hit Paris last week, saying Tuesday Nov. 17, 2015 that a major tragedy had been avoided. The Stade de France was packed with 79,000 fans when three attackers blew themselves up outside the venue, killing a bystander. There also were several dozen injuries. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File) FILE - This is a Friday Nov. 13, 2015 file photo of spectators as gather the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer France against Germany, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015 in Saint Denis, outside Paris. French sports minister Patrick Kanner praised security officials at the Stade de France for keeping their nerves when faced with the attacks that hit Paris last week, saying Tuesday Nov. 17, 2015 that a major tragedy had been avoided. The Stade de France was packed with 79,000 fans when three attackers blew themselves up outside the venue, killing a bystander. There also were several dozen injuries. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)

By Associated Press November 18, 2015 1 min read

PARIS (AP) – France’s secretary of sport says soccer matches around the country will go ahead this weekend in the wake of the deadly attacks in Paris, saying “life must go on.”

Thierry Braillard said in an interview Wednesday with sports daily L’Equipe that calling games off would be “exactly what these barbarians want,” referring to the gunmen and suicide bombers who attacked Paris last Friday night.

Braillard says French football league president Frederic Thiriez is “totally” in agreement with the decision.

Friday’s rampage led to sporting events in Paris and other cities being canceled last weekend.

There was no top-level league football scheduled because of the international break – France hosted Germany at the Stade de France, where explosives were detonated outside – so the French first division will resume Friday evening when Lyon travels to Nice.