England v France is a stand against terrorism and we must not cower, says FA chief Glenn

FA chief executive vows to stand with France

THE FA chief executive Martin Glenn insists tomorrow's friendly between England and France is of huge global significance.

 

England host France just four days after 129 people were killed in attacks in Paris.

The French Football Federation insisted the game had to go ahead despite the FA offering to cancel it.

And Glenn believes it's a chance for football to stand up to terrorism.

 

"This is going to have massive global significance - the first major event since Friday. It is a chance to demonstrate terrorism can't win," he said.

"We can't afford to let this act of terror cow us."

The FA have also called on fans to arrive earlier than normal to aid security checks.

All bags will be checked before access is allowed into the stadium, and more security officers have been drafted in to create a stronger and more visible presence for the 70,000 spectators who are expected.

 

The FA has not been told of any threat to the match but the fact a suicide bomber attempted to gain access to the Stade de France on Friday night has highlighted the fact that sports events may be a future target.

Glenn added: "We'd like fans to turn up a bit earlier as there will be more security checks and police around the area."

The lyrics of the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, will be displayed on the big screens so that all fans can join in the singing.

Wembley's giant arch will shine in red, white and blue while the French flag and national slogan of 'Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite' will be shown displayed on LED screens on Wembley Way.

 

England players hold a minute's silence in training today

There will be a minute's silence before kick-off and both teams will wear black armbands to remember the 129 people killed in Friday's attacks.

"7.55pm is when the game will really begin as we show our solidarity with France," said Glenn.

Manager Roy Hodgson admitted the context of the game had changed massively - and it was now about standing with the French rather than the result of the match itself.

He said: "All we can do really is make certain we play the best game possible, but unfortunately whichever way we think about it we can't deny there's something hanging over this game which is far far greater than a football match and a football result.

 

England were at Tottenham's training ground this morning ahead of Tuesday's match

"We'll do our best on the football field and I'm sure these young players will get great experience and they won't let the country down, but I believe tomorrow night is going to be a little bit more around us showing solidarity and people writing about this football match being played and the reasons for this match being played, rather than necessarily what actually happens on the field."

The 68-year-old also admits he is going into the unknown when it comes to how the match itself might play out.

He added: "I really can't imagine how this game's going to go and what sort of football is going to be played quite simply because I've never been in this situation before. I've never played a game four days after a tragedy of this immense proportion, but the game is to go ahead and we will prepare and try to play the best game we can play.

"But I can't deny that there are other issues here which are greater than the game of football."

  

Roy Hodgson addressed the media this afternoon



Hodgson said that none of the England players had told him they did not want to play the friendly as a result of Friday's attacks.

He also said his side would have had no problem if France had wanted to call the game off.

"Our players, like everyone in the world, were devastated by the news," the England coach said.

"We would have been perfectly content had the decision been taken that, because of the events, the game would have been called off, we'd have accepted that without any discussion or any comment.

"But we were told the game was to go ahead and we've tried to do our best to prepare accordingly, and I don't think there's anybody in particular who would have a reason to say 'I don't want to play the game'.

"But a lot of those French players are involved in English football so there's an enormous empathy between them, but not enough for any of our players to come to myself or Martin to say 'because of what's happened we don't want to play the game'."