Glasgow rugby match postponed after terrorist attacks

Glasgow Warriors' head coach Gregor Townsend expressed concerns for travelling supporters in Paris. Picture: SNS

France closed its borders after the six attacks in Paris, including near the Stade de France, where the French national football side were playing Germany.

There were reports that following the game, the German team spent the night at the stadium before returning home yesterday morning.

The Glasgow Warriors team and supporters are already in Paris and coach Gregor Townsend expressed his concerns for the travelling fans after hearing the European Champions Cup fixture had been postponed.

“We were really looking forward to the game, it’s a beautiful city and a great place to come and visit and it was really sad to see the horrible scenes last night,” Townsend said.

“Following on from that, for our own supporters there was a real spirit of optimism on the plane yesterday and it’s great to see our supporters coming to travel overseas.

“We were very concerned about them last night when we saw the images coming in from Paris and hopefully they haven’t been caught up in it and from what we hear everything is OK, but we’re obviously thinking about them and hope they can get home safely.”

Glasgow Warriors also released a statement which read: “Our thoughts go out to everyone affected. We expect more information later today about when this game will be played.”

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), organisers of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup competitions, said all clubs have been asked to observe a minute’s silence before games in both tournaments this weekend.

The French Football Federation says France’s friendly match against England at Wembley on Tuesday will still take place. The FFF says on its website that its president Noel Le Graet has confirmed that the friendly at Wembley “will go ahead”.

France beat Germany 2-0 on Friday at Stade de France in a game overshadowed by the events around the city.

There were two explosions outside the stadium itself during the first half and French president François Hollande, who was there watching the game, was evacuated and immediately held an emergency meeting.

The attacks raise serious concerns about fans’ safety at Euro 2016, which is being held in France next summer.

Le Graet told L’Equipe: “For the Euro, there was already a big worry. Today it’s obviously even stronger.”

England, Northern Ireland and Wales have all qualified for the European Championship finals which are scheduled to take place across France from 10 June to 10 July.

Several sporting events scheduled for this weekend in France have been postponed, including horse racing, athletics and figure skating meetings. There have also been many messages of support for the victims of the tragedy from across the world of sport, with various governing bodies and clubs announcing plans to hold tributes this weekend.