France and Manchester United striker Anthony Martial was just one of the many footballers who took to social media to support the people of Paris.
Last night’s events in France were shocking and absolutely bewildering, as it is reported that 127 people were killed and 99 injured in five terror attacks in and around Paris.
One of those attacks came at the entrance of France’s iconic Stade de France, as France was playing Germany in a friendly match.
Two explosions went off outside the stadium entrance and one at a nearly McDonalds. The shock was visible to see from both the fans and players in the pictures beamed around the world.
It is a night that football, or the world will never forget. I think I speak for everybody at Soccernews when I send my condolences to all the families and friends of the people injured and killed in this act of complete Barbarity.
Football not more important than life and death
Liverpool’s legendary boss Bill Shankly was once quoted as saying “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”
The great Scot is a legend and a man of great acclaim, and I am sure he did not mean that quote literally, but he loved football that much that there was truth in that quote.
Coming from a city that has endured tragedy involving a football game and people never coming home, I feel great sympathy for those who were involved in not just the stadium attack, but in all the attacks in Paris.
For me, I tend to disagree with the great Shankly. Football has the power to unite and divide. At times like this it should be used for the greater good. The game now has a chance to purvey a message that terrorism will not be tolerated in our modern day society.
Doubts about friendlies
The attacks in the French capital have put in doubt a number of friendlies over the next week or so. England face France in a friendly on Tuesday night at Wembley, a game that France are odds of 2/1 to win.
There were calls for the game to be postponed, but the FFF has confirmed the game will go ahead, as a statement was released which read: “President Noel Le Graet confirmed on Saturday that the match between England and France scheduled for Tuesday November 17 (8pm local time) at Wembley will still take place.”
The game must be used to celebrate life and to show that these despicable acts will not stop people from enjoying life. They have not beaten France or their allies.
Time for football to stand-up against terror
As you would expect football has united in its support for France in its time of need with many players taking to social media to express their feelings about the horrible events of last night.
Here are just a few messages from footballers from around the world:
I’m appalled by the shocking scenes in Paris at the moment. My thoughts are with the victims and innocent people suffering right now. (Thierry Henry via Twitter)
What a terrible night! My thoughts are with the families who lost their loved ones!! (Andre Schurlle via Twitter)
Pray for Paris (Anthony Martial via Twitter)
All our thoughts are with yesterday’s victims and their families. We want to reiterate, today, more than ever, that there’s only one way: love and peace between mankind and the world will stick together to achieve it. #PrayForParis (Lionel Messi via Facebook)
These were just a few of the messages from players from around the world, but there were plenty more players showing their support for the people of Paris.
Football has great power in the modern world. It may be a mass industry worth billions, but at the end of the day it is the people that make the game, the players, the coaches and especially the fans.
It is time that football used its power in the world to show people that terrorism, in any shape or form will not be tolerated.
These random acts may have got the terrorists in the news, but they will never win because there are too many good people in this world to stand and do the right thing. Football can help assist in spreading that message.
Can football help with spreading the message of peace?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
