French sporting stars across the world have paid tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks in the Paris area.
Seventeen people were killed across three days after attacks on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, police officers and a kosher supermarket.
Several Premier League footballers wore black armbands in honour of the dead, while Swansea’s French striker Bafetimbi Gomis, 29, displayed a Tricolour flag after helping his team score against West Ham.
“He is very passionate about his country and where he is from,” said Swansea manager Garry Monk. “That showed in his celebration and why he got the flag.”
A minute’s silence was held before each match in the top two tiers of the French football league, rugby union’s Top 14 and the domestic basketball league.
Supportive messages were also shown by French competitors in skiing, biathlon and basketball events.
Roma’s French coach Rudi Garcia left a pencil on every journalist’s chair for his news conference ahead of Sunday’s derby against Italian rivals Lazio.
“I’m French and in mourning,” said the ex-Lille coach, 50. “I want to express my solidarity to my country. We all have to be together at this time.
“What happened in Paris was an attack on freedom. But things mustn’t change, this freedom should last forever. After the tragedy in Paris, we’re all Charlie.”
Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal, with Racing Metro counterpart Jacky Lorenzetti stood alongside him, spoke to the crowd before asking for a minute’s silence ahead of Saturday’s Top 14 match.
Comic book magnate Boudjellal had edited the early works of Stephane Charbonnier and Bernard Verlhac, two of the cartoonists killed at the Charlie Hebdo headquarters.
Supporters held up pieces of paper with ‘Nous Sommes Tous Charlie’ (We Are All Charlie) printed on them as the teams walked out, while ‘Je Suis Charlie’ could be seen on the big screen.
A minute’s applause was followed by a rendition of the French national anthem ‘La Marseillaise’ as the teams prepared for kick-off.
Frenchman Alexis Pinturault pointed to the words ‘Je suis Charlie’ written on his helmet when he moved into the lead at the World Cup giant slalom event in Adelboden, Switzerland.
The 23-year-old, who eventually finished second, was one of several French racers to have the words on his helmet.
“For me it was important to show my solidarity,” said the Olympic bronze medallist.
“It’s a little bit complicated to understand everything, but this could happen in Switzerland one day. You never know when this attack will happen.”
Source: BBC Sports
