Tottenham legend discusses France game as three Spurs men get start

Wembley Stadium has been lit up win red, white and blue for tonight's game

CHRIS WADDLE has praised the France team for agreeing to play England tonight just four days after the attacks in Paris.

 

The French Football Federation were offered the chance to postpone the friendly.

But they refused and insisted on playing under the Wembley arch, which is lit up in red, while and blue for tonight's 8pm kick off.

And Waddle, who earned 62 caps for England, backed the decision to play the game. 

 

"I personally wouldn't have played the game but for everyone who says it shouldn't be played you will get another giving you a very good reason why it should be played," he told the BBC.

"I lived in France for three years when I was with Marseille and they are a very strong and determined nation.

"This is the French nation saying 'you're not going to stop us doing what we want to do. We are going to get on with our lives.'

 

"And if the French say they are going to do something they do it. They are very strong people and I have always respected them for that.

"This is them telling people they are not going to change their way of life."

Waddle spent five years at Newcastle in the 1980s before leaving for Tottenham in 1985.

Spurs themselves have three players starting for England tonight, with Eric Dier and Deli Alli playing in midfield and star man Harry Kane up front. Hugo Lloris starts in goal for France.

England team to play France: Hart, Clyne, Gibbs, Dier, Cahill, Stones, Alli, Barkley, Kane, Rooney, Sterling.

France team: Lloris, Sagna, Varane, Koscielny, Digne, Schneiderlin, Cabaye, Matuidi, Ben Arfa, Martial, Gignac.