Sport fraternity unites in mourning the Charlie Hebedo attacks

Sport fraternity unites in mourning the Charlie Hebedo attacks

France has been in the news for past 48 hours and for all the bad reasons. The militants gunned down twelve staff members of a popular French magazine Charlie Hebedo.

The sports authorities in France joined in and condemned the attacks. Players from Ligue 1 clubs Lille and Evian wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

"The entire family of French football joins the general spirit of solidarity and affirms its support for the families of the victims," the French Football Association (FFA) said in a statement.

The French Rugby Federation, France's governing rugby body, called for a minute's silence before all their matches this weekend from "school tournaments to professional games".

The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) said it would also be paying tribute.

In a statement, the FFBB added: "The values of our sport, and of sport in general, should contribute to the fight against all forms of barbarity and to preserve the national unity which we all need."

French Athletics Federation boss Bernard Amsalem called on French athletics "to express its solidarity with the victims and their families".