Paris: Sports matches cancelled and Disneyland closed after attacks

But the friendly match at Wembley between England and France is set to go ahead

Jess Staufenberg
Saturday 14 November 2015 11:21 GMT
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Fans pitchside at the Stade de France after news of explosion's in Paris broke.
Fans pitchside at the Stade de France after news of explosion's in Paris broke. (PA)

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Sports fixtures have been cancelled and Disneyland Paris' doors closed as Parisians reel from multiple attacks, leaving more than 100 dead, on the city.

The family entertainment venue has closed for the day as the country mourns the deaths and injury of hundreds of citizens after one of the largest terrorist attacks in the nation's history.

All weekend sports fixtures have also reportedly been cancelled.

The attacks, which officials believe were coordinated, included explosions near the Stade de France during a friendly match with Germany which killed three people. In total at least 120 people are believed to have been killed in the attacks.

The closures come as President Francois Hollande announced a state of emergency across France.

In a press statement, Disneyland Paris officials said its theme parks would not open today following last night's horror in support of victims.

"In light of the recent tragic events in France and in support of our community and the victims of these horrendous attacks, Disneyland Paris has decided not to open its theme parks on Saturday 14 November," the organisation said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by these horrible events."

The unusual move by the venue, which saw 14 million visitors last year, followed 1,500 extra troops being deployed around Paris.

Officials at Disneyland Paris have said that its theme parks will not open in support of the victims of the "horrendous attacks".
Officials at Disneyland Paris have said that its theme parks will not open in support of the victims of the "horrendous attacks". (Rex)

All weekend sports fixtures were also cancelled according to French news agency AFP, with the message being passed on to heads of sports federations.

But England's friendly match against France, which was set to be held at Wembley next Tuesday, is set to go ahead.

The Football Association (FA) and the French Football Federation (FFF) has held talks and decided the London match will go ahead.

Meanwhile, FFF president Noel Le Great said that the organisation grieved with the country.

"The French Football Federation shares the emotion that shakes the nation following the tragic events of Friday in Paris and around the Stade de France," he said in a statement.

"The FFF shares the grief of the bereaved families and relatives."

An opening training session scheduled for Saturday has also been cancelled, with the French national team training behind closed doors at their Clairefontaine base instead.

In respose to the attacks, President Hollande has declared a state of emergency across the country and closed all the borders.

Francois Hollande: Paris terror attacks an "act of war"

"It is horror," Hollande said in a brief statement on television. "A state of emergency will be declared. The second measure will be the closure of national borders."

"We must ensure that no one comes in to commit any act whatsoever, and at the same time make sure that those who have committed these crimes should be arrested if they try to leave the country," he said.

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