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England and France pay tribute to Paris victims at Wembley

Armed police on watch outside the ground before the international friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London.
Image: The French motto 'liberte, egalite, fraternite' was displayed on the side of Wembley.

England and France supporters joined together at Wembley in a moving tribute to those killed in Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris.

The teams were led out by a France flag, complete with the French motto 'liberte, egalite, fraternite', which was also branded across the side of Wembley stadium.

Both sets of fans sang La Marseillaise - the French national anthem - after the two teams took to the field, and were joined by the British Prime Minister David Cameron, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Both squads then stood shoulder to shoulder as the crowd erupted into a minute's applause for the 129 people killed in the French capital.

The France first eleven then posed for their traditional pre-match team photograph before the crowd of 71, 223 observed an immaculate minute's silence.

England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 in London, England.  (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
Image: England and France shake hands before their friendly at Wembley

Ahead of kick-off, flowers were laid at pitch-side by the opposing managers Roy Hodgson and Didier Deschamps, as well as other dignitaries.

FA chairman Greg Dyke gave a speech to the Wembley suite, which included Cameron, the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and France Football Federation president Noel La Graet.

Dyke closed his speech by saying: "Normally I say at this stage I 'enjoy the game' but that would be the wrong message to leave you with tonight. So I will end instead with the words of Nelson Mandela, who said this:

"Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair.

Players pose for a moment of applause prior to the International Friendly match between England and France at Wembley Stadium
Image: Players from both sides stood together prior to kick-off

"Never were those words more appropriate than they are tonight."

A number of football players and public figures were impressed by the huge show of solidarity at England's national stadium.

France international and Manchester City star Samir Nasri tweeted "I love England", while Real Madrid and Wales midfielder Gareth Bale said: "Huge respect to everyone at @wembleystadium!! #OneAnthem #BiggerThanFootball."

Bale's Real Madrid team-mate and France striker Karim Benzema said: "Thanks to people throughout the world for supporting France in such a moment of tragedy and sadness #PrayForParis #ANGFRA #NousSommesUnis."

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