Man United and England captain Wayne Rooney says France friendly is message to terrorists
Posted Tuesday, November 17, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk
WAYNE ROONEY says the friendly with France sends a defiant message to the terrorists that they will never win.
Rooney skippers an England side at Wembley against the backdrop of what he called "sickening" acts of terror in Paris on Friday.
The Manchester United captain said he was happy the friendly game was being played and that England will stand side by side with a French nation in mourning following the atrocities.
He revealed he was in his hotel room watching the news unfold on a night where 129 people lost their lives and many were critically injured.
Rooney said: "It will be a great night of togetherness for everyone to see, and for the terrorists to see the world will go on and stand against them.
"We knew, when we saw it unfold, there was a chance the game might not be on.
"There was a chance it was on, too. And we were happy to do whatever, either way.
"I'm happy the game's on. It shows France wants to show these terrorists that they're standing strong against them, and we have to support that."
The striker said he and England team-mates were aware something terrible had happened when they got back to the dressing room following the 2-0 defeat in Spain.
Rooney revealed he then struggled to watch the full horror unfold as he tuned into news channels in his hotel room later.
He added: "The first I saw of it was on social media. We saw in the dressing room after the game.
DEFIANT: Rooney says the fact the friendly is on sends a great message
"We heard there were possibly grenades outside the stadium. That was all we knew until we got to the hotel and saw it on the news.
"We had a few news channels on there, and it was on. To be honest, it was hard to watch. It was sickening.
"It was shocking, really. As a footballer, with it actually being at the stadium.
"There were friends there, and it could have happened to them. It was shocking. It's hard for the football players."
But he said he felt the match would act as a symbol of unity and send out a strong message to the terrorists.
CAMEO: Rooney came off the bench against Spain
"Football has the power to do that," said Rooney. "The world of football has to stay strong together.
"Before the game, it will all be a bit strange. It might be difficult, but you don't know. I've never experienced going into a game with something like this having happened.
"Once it kicks off, we'll try and win the game. But it's a difficult situation for everyone. And particularly the French team."
Rooney said the players had no alternative but to put their faith in the authorities when it came to the safety of all concerned.
MARK OF RESPECT: The Eiffel Tower is it up in honour of those that died in Paris
"As players, we have to trust in the security," said Rooney. "As the manager said, terrorism is an on-going thing.
"You never know when it's going to happen, or where. We have to trust in the security we have as players and hope nothing does happen."
Rooney said it might not be easy for the players to sing the Marseillaise - not only because of the language hurdles.
He added: "It'll be tough for us. The screens are to the sides. But it will be great for the fans and for those who want to."
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