France boss Deschamps would prefer to 'avoid playing' on Paris attacks anniversary / Photo: © AFP
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France boss Deschamps would prefer to 'avoid playing' on Paris attacks anniversary
Didier Deschamps said on Thursday that he would have preferred to "avoid playing" France's 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Ukraine on November 13, the date which will mark the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris attacks.
On November 13, 2015, a series of attacks in Paris and around the Stade de France during a friendly match between Les Bleus and Germany left a total of 130 people dead.
"It's a sensitive issue. Deep down, I think it would have been better if we could have avoided playing on November 13," the France coach told reporters at a press conference for his squad announcement ahead of the upcoming qualifiers.
"Was that possible? I don't have the answers, and it's not up to me."
Deschamps said the meeting with Ukraine will be "a special day marked with commemorations".
"Out of respect for the families who have suffered and lost loved ones, the duty of remembrance must always be respected. And there is a football match on that date which is very important for us," he added.
France top Group D with 10 points from four outings, three points ahead of Ukraine who they host on November 13 before travelling to Azerbaijan three days later.
T.Bondarenko--BTB