FIFA Grants France's Special Request Ahead of Semi-Final

Tonight's semi-final between France and Spain will be preceded by a minute of silence. FIFA has granted France's request to honour the victims of the Nice terrorist attack, which occurred exactly ten years ago on July 14, 2016. On that day, a truck driven by terrorist Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel was deliberately driven into crowds gathered on the Promenade des Anglais to watch the Bastille Day fireworks. The attack resulted in the deaths of 86 people from 19 different nationalities and injured over 400 others.

On Monday, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the news: “Before the France-Spain match, a minute of silence will be observed in memory of the victims of the Nice attack, ten years after July 14, 2016. I thank the FIFA President (Gianni Infantino, ed.) for responding to the request from France and all the mobilised French people. We will never forget.”

Several days earlier, the mayor of Nice, Éric Ciotti, had sent an official request to the international federation. He published the letter, which stated: “As the first semi-final of the FIFA World Cup will also be played on July 14, and the French team will be defending its colours, I would like to ask you to observe a minute of silence before the start of the match in memory of all those who lost their lives that evening on the Promenade des Anglais.”

The letter added: “This gesture of tribute would show the solidarity of the great football family with the victims of terrorism and their loved ones. Such a commemoration would be met with deep emotion by the families of the victims, the survivors, and all French people. It would powerfully illustrate the values of fraternity, peace, respect, and unity that FIFA and football carry throughout the world.”

The French Football Federation (FFF) supported the request, which was ultimately approved. This will not be the first minute of silence during the current World Cup. Les Bleus have already honoured the memory of the numerous victims of the terrible earthquake that tragically struck Venezuela before their match against Norway (4-1).

The quarter-final between Argentina and Switzerland (3-1 after extra time) was also preceded by a minute of silence in memory of South African footballer Jayden Adams, who was found dead just days after competing in the World Cup with his country.