PARIS : Tight security will overshadow the resumption of Ligue 1 action in France on Friday when Nice host Lyon, one week on from the terror attacks in Paris that left 129 people dead and 350 injured.
France were playing Germany at the Stade de France on November 13 when three explosions were heard outside the national stadium. Three suicide bombers killed themselves along with one bystander.
Junior Sports Minister Thierry Braillard with French football officials took the decision on Tuesday to allow Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches to go ahead under heavy security, but without away fans.
“Sporting competitions must continue because if we suspend them, that is what these barbaric people want, which is to destabilise our daily way of life,” explained Braillard.
League president Frederic Thiriez said security forces across the country were too stretched to allow fans to travel.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s friendly between England and France at Wembley he said: “The Interior Ministry does not have sufficient mobilised forces to guarantee at the same time the presence of away supporters and overall security.”
Popular sports daily L’Equipe paid tribute to the United Kingdom after fans sang La Marseillaise ahead of the match, as part of a series of tributes.
The French national anthem will also be sung at all domestic matches this weekend in respect to the victims.
“THANK YOU” (to the British) was the newspaper’s front page headline after England carved out a meaningless 2-0 win in the capital with Prince William and British Prime Minister David Cameron in attendance.
As both European football’s governing body UEFA and the French government were moved to dispel fears over France’s ability to host Euro 2016, the French league returns but under a tight security blanket.
Paris Saint-Germain, a healthy 10 point clear of Lyon, travel to Lorient on Saturday, Laurent Blanc’s French champions notably affected by the attacks. (AGENCIES)
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