Sportsparis attacksJe Suis ParisPSG Soccer

French Soccer Team To Pay Tribute To Paris Victims With Honorary Jerseys

#JeSuisParis has become more than a hashtag.
Open Image Modal
By 

The Huffington Post

In memory of those who lost their lives in last Friday’s terrorist attacks, players on the French soccer club Paris Saint-Germain will wear jerseys inscribed with the phrase “Je Suis Paris” for their next three games, the team announced Wednesday. 

This mark of respect is just the latest example of the soccer world uniting in the face of tragedy. After the English and French national teams came together in a moving pregame ceremony on Tuesday, and the predominantly British crowd gave player Lassana Diarra -- who lost his cousin in last Friday’s attacks -- a thunderous ovation, U.S. Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan stated that the attacks should lead to solidarity, not panic, around the game.

This positive use of international competition is a marked contrast from the seeds of fear and dissension that some are trying to plant in the sport, as the Germany-Netherlands game had to be canceled after bomb threats and a moment of silence at the Turkey-Greece game was marred by jeers from the crowd. 

The honorary jerseys are a touching gesture from PSG. Let’s hope that more teams and more signs of hope follow.

 

Also on HuffPost:

Moving Photos From England vs. France
(01 of16)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: A military band plays infront of the Bobby Moore statue stands prior to the International Friendly match between England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Stephen Pond - The FA via Getty Images)
(02 of16)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: England fans display the colours of the French flag remember those who lost their lives in the recent Paris attack prior to the International Friendly match between England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Tom Dulat - The FA via Getty Images)
(03 of16)
Open Image Modal
A French flag is pictured as fans gather for the start of the friendly football match between England and France at Wembley Stadium in west London on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISNOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
(04 of16)
Open Image Modal
A football fan holds a flag before the start of the international friendly match between England and France at Wembley Stadium in west London on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISNOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
(05 of16)
Open Image Modal
Football fans hold flags and banners before the start of the friendly football match between England and France at Wembley Stadium in west London on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / IAN KINGTONNOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:IAN KINGTON via Getty Images)
(06 of16)
Open Image Modal
A man holds a French flag outside Wembley Stadium before the start of the friendly football match between England and France at Wembley Stadium in west London on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:LEON NEAL via Getty Images)
(07 of16)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: General view of the French supporters prior to the International Friendly match between England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Matt Lewis - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Lewis - The FA via Getty Images)
(08 of16)
Open Image Modal
A young fan wears a t-shirt in tribute to those who lost their lives in the Paris terror attacks prior to the international friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday November 17, 2015. See PA story SOCCER England. Photo credit should read: Mike Egerton/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to FA restrictions. Editorial use only. Commercial use only with prior written consent of the FA. No editing except cropping. Call +44 (0)1158 447447 or see paphotos.com/info for full restrictions and further information. (credit:Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
(09 of16)
Open Image Modal
France's midfielder Lassana Diarra (3rd R) is embraced by France's midfielder Paul Pogba before the start of the start of the friendly football match between England and France at Wembley Stadium in west London on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
(10 of16)
Open Image Modal
(From R) France's goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris, France's defender Laurent Koscielny, France's defender Lucas Digne, France's forward Hatem Ben Arfa sing their country's national anthem before the start of the friendly football match between England and France at Wembley Stadium in west London on November 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNISNOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images)
(11 of16)
Open Image Modal
England players stand side by side with their French counterparts before the international friendly match at Wembley Stadium, London. (credit:Nick Potts/PA Wire)
(12 of16)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Both teams stand together for a moment of applause prior to the International Friendly match between England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Matt Lewis - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Matt Lewis - The FA via Getty Images)
(13 of16)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: France team pose for pictures prior to the International Friendly match between England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (credit:Tom Dulat - The FA via Getty Images)
(14 of16)
Open Image Modal
France supporters sing their national anthem prior to kick off (credit:Andrew Matthews/EMPICS Sport)
(15 of16)
Open Image Modal
WEMBLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: A France fan wipes away his tears during the national anthem before the international friendly between England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) (credit:Catherine Ivill - AMA via Getty Images)
(16 of16)
Open Image Modal
WEMBLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 17: A France fan wipes away his tears during the national anthem before the international friendly between England and France at Wembley Stadium on November 17, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) (credit:Catherine Ivill - AMA via Getty Images)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip