France's players arrived in London "in a state of shock" on Monday morning, "with some unhappy" at being told that Tuesday’s friendly against England "must go ahead," according to Laurens & Hughes of the LONDON TIMES. It is understood that several of them "feel they should have been consulted over the decision to play at Wembley only four days after the deaths of 129 people in Paris in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks." The decision was "taken unilaterally" by French Football Federation President Noël Le Graët. He confirmed on Sunday that he "acted alone and did not even consult Didier Deschamps," the head coach, who informed the players on Saturday afternoon that they must travel to London. The FFF’s stance surprised the FA, whose senior execs "expected that the fixture would be cancelled." Le Graët said, "The players had nothing to do with the fact that this game will take place. It is me alone who made the call. Then I informed Deschamps around midday [on Saturday]." Some players are believed to have "privately described the decision" to play England less than 24 hours after three days of national mourning as "disrespectful," while there is "considerable resentment in the squad that they have been barely able to see their families since the tragedy" (LONDON TIMES, 11/16). The BBC reported Deschamps offered his players "the chance to withdraw from the England friendly, as France observes three days of mourning." But "none did" after the FFF turned down the FA's offer to cancel the match, confirming "all the players are coming." During Tuesday's game, Wembley's arch will be "lit up in the red, white and blue of the French flag to show solidarity with France" (BBC, 11/16). In London, Oliver Kay reported FA CEO Martin Glenn addressed the media at the England team hotel in Hertfordshire on Monday, saying that the match "offered an opportunity for football to make a stand against terrorism." Glenn: "This is going to have massive global significance. It is the first major event since Friday. We [England and France] can do something great together to demonstrate that terrorism can’t win." England captain Wayne Rooney said, "On behalf of the players, I would like to give our condolences. These are sad times, with a lot of people losing their lives. It’s hard for everyone, including ourselves, and we have to be as respectful as we can" (LONDON TIMES, 11/16).
NOT THE TIME: In London, Tony Barrett commented there are times "when the ball can and should be put away and this is one." The "most consistent line of argument being trotted out about why the fixture must take place is that we cannot let the terrorists win," as if someone is "keeping score in a barbaric game based on which of our cherished values and pastimes are able to endure the deaths of numerous people." Situations like this one "deserve better than to be reduced to such glibness;" bodies are still being identified in Paris and families are "still searching for loved ones, now is not a time to be playing football." Another argument against postponement is that "we have to get on with normal life, as failing to do so would, again, be playing into the hands of those whose murderous aim is to distort it beyond recognition." There is "more merit to this point of view and we do need to continue doing our everyday activities as much as they are humanly possible." But, again, "are there not times when such pursuits are overtaken by the gravity of events?" More pressingly, Tuesday's friendly "takes place against the backdrop of fear, there is no getting away from that." People are "currently scared and rightly so." Anxiety and crowds "are not a good mix, as anyone who watched scores of people fleeing a perceived attacker" in Paris Sunday afternoon will understand (LONDON TIMES, 11/16).
HEIGHTENED SECURITY: In London, Ben Curtis reported armed officers will be deployed at Wembley for the England vs. France football match in the wake of the Paris terror attacks. Around 70,000 supporters "are expected to attend, while Kensington Palace this evening confirmed The Duke of Cambridge will also be present." Fans going to the game have been told to expect an increased police presence at transport hubs and "in and around" the stadium, including armed officers. Deputy Assistant Commander Peter Terry, from the Met's Specialist Crime & Operations Command, said, "We've reassessed what security we think we need for tomorrow night's occasion" (DAILY MIRROR, 11/16). The BBC reported England Manager Roy Hodgson said that the match against France will not be a "normal friendly" following the attacks in Paris. Hodgson: "I can't deny there's something hanging over which is far, far greater than a football match. That will be lingering whether we like it or not. I've never been in a football game like this before" (BBC, 11/16). The BBC reported in a separate piece British Home Secretary Theresa May said that security will be "intensified" at events in major cities and at U.K. borders. She said in a Commons statement that security plans will be reviewed and "any necessary lessons learned." She also said that she would call for "tighter gun laws in Europe." May confirmed that "new funding would be made available for an extra 1,900 security and intelligence officers at MI5, MI6 and GCHQ -- an increase of 15%" (BBC, 11/16).
URGENT TALKS: In London, Darren Lewis reported Premier League chiefs will "hold urgent talks this week on how to protect grounds in this country" after suicide bombers set off their vests outside the Stade de France. Fresh guidelines "will be issued to all top-flight grounds early this week after football fans were targeted for the first time in terrorist attacks." The new proposals "are set to be issued to top-flight clubs well in advance of Saturday and Sunday’s matches" (DAILY MIRROR, 11/16).
