Lassana Diarra confirms his cousin killed in Paris attacks

France's midfielder Lassana Diarra has confirmed reports that his cousin, Asta Diakite, was killed in yesterday's horrific attacks in Paris. The incident took place while Lassana was playing in a friendly soccer game between France and Germany at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, near Paris, France on Friday, November 13th, 2015.

About 3 loud explosions were heard during the match before the game was scrapped prematurely. At first the spectators in the stadium and the players on the fields that there were some sort of celebratory fireworks and the game continued on. But shortly after, the authorities called the game off due to the on-going security situation in Paris at that moment. It is believed that these loud explosions where indeed suicide bombers detonating themselves. There were also reports of shootings.

The Marseille midfielder tweeted about the tragedy (English translation):

“Following the dramatic events yesterday in Paris and Saint Denis, it is with a heavy heart that I heard this news today. As you may have read, I was touched personally by the attacks. My cousin, Asta Diakite, was among the victims of one of the shootings yesterday, along with hundreds of other innocent French people. She was like a big sister to me. In this climate of terror, it is important for all of us who represent our country and its diversity to stay united against a horror which has no colour, no religion. Stand together for love, respect and peace. Thank you all for your messages, take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and may the victims rest in peace.”

Posted by on Saturday November 14 2015, 2:34 PM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0

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