Stade de France referee only found out about Paris suicide bombs from reporters after the game

Stunned: referee Lahoz with Griezmann, whose sister was in the Bataclan theatre
BPI/Rex
Tom Collomosse16 November 2015

The referee who took charge of France’s match with Germany has spoken of the “troubling, tough” moments he experienced at the end of the game.

The tragic events took the lives of at least 132 people. One of the attacks took place at the Stade de France, the venue for the national’s team’s friendly against Germany, where three suicide bombers blew themselves up and claimed the life of one bystander. Three explosions were heard during the course of the match, which was played to its conclusion.

Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz told the newspaper AS: “We had no idea about what was going on until after the game had ended.

“We have all been through some very difficult moments; moments of great uncertainty because, at first, we were told that we were not allowed to leave the stadium.

“This is a very troubling, tough moment. We found out about what was happening through the press who were attending the game and the television.”

Meanwhile, the former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra is expected to play in tomorrow’s friendly against England at Wembley. His cousin, Atsa Diakite, was killed in the attacks.

Marseille’s Diarra had only been recalled to the France squad this season after a five-year absence.

Diarra’s team-mate Antoine Griezmann, whose sister escaped the Bataclan theatre where at least 89 people were killed, is also expected to be available against England.

Griezmann said: “Thanks to God that my sister was able to leave the Bataclan. All my prayers are with the victims and their families.”

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