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Sissoko Proud Of Paris Tributes
Written by Newcastle Utd
MIdfielder Moussa Sissoko has spoken to nufc.co.uk about the recent terror attacks in Paris
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Moussa Sissoko has spoken for the first time about the recent terror attacks in Paris.
And the French midfielder has thanked Newcastle United fans for their show of solidarity with the people of his homeland before Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Leicester.
Sissoko was part of the Les Bleus squad taking on Germany in a friendly at the Stade de France ten days ago when Paris came under attack, and admitted he has found the aftermath "very hard".
But hearing the French national anthem - Le Marseillaise - ring around St. James' Park, as it did at every top flight stadium this weekend, and seeing Magpies fans wearing France shirts and carrying tricolours, gave the 26-year-old a huge sense of pride in the togetherness that football can provide.
"This week was very hard because of everything that happened in Paris," he told nufc.co.uk.
"But, thankfully, I am alive and I have to look forward.
"All my family was in the stadium so I was very scared but they brought my family to a special room, and when I saw them I was happy.
"But I was still sad for everyone affected by what happened in Paris. It was a bad thing for everyone in France, everyone in the world, and I hope these things stop soon.
"Football is obviously important but the most important thing is the life of people.
"It was nice that people came together to think about what has happened in France and I would like to thank everyone for that."
Goals from Jamie Vardy, Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki condemned United to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of the high-flying Foxes on Saturday.
And Sissoko says he and his teammates were nowhere near good enough.
"We are angry because we didn't play well in this game," he continued.
"We lost every duel, every tackle and everything was not good enough. The manager was angry and disappointed after the game.
"We had played well for a few games, won our last match at Bournemouth and wanted to win this one, because three points would have helped us to go forward. But we were not able to do that.
"It is important we learn from this game, train hard and go to (Crystal) Palace for the next game and do something there."