Lassana Diarra comes on to standing ovation at Wembley days after the death of his cousin in Paris terror attacks

By Sami Mokbel for MailOnline

Published: 16:51 EST, 17 November 2015 | Updated: 05:44 EST, 18 November 2015

Lassana Diarra was given a rapturous ovation by the Wembley crowd just days after losing his cousin in the Paris attacks.

The France midfielder was welcomed onto the pitch as a second half substitute with generous applause by both sets of supporters on a poignant night.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea man played in the friendly against Germany on Friday night - which was targeted by terrorists - only to discover his cousin, Asta Diakite, was killed in the horrific scenes.

France midfielder Lassana Diarra (centre) comes on as substitute for Crystal Palace star Yohan Cabaye

France midfielder Lassana Diarra (centre) comes on as substitute for Crystal Palace star Yohan Cabaye

Diarra jogs onto the Wembley pitch and is spoken to by team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin (No 22)

Diarra jogs onto the Wembley pitch and is spoken to by team-mate Morgan Schneiderlin (No 22)

Diarra's cousin passed away in the terror attacks which stunned Paris on Friday night

Diarra's cousin passed away in the terror attacks which stunned Paris on Friday night

England winger Raheem Sterling (right) tries to get the better of former Real Madrid man Diarra

England winger Raheem Sterling (right) tries to get the better of former Real Madrid man Diarra

Despite the family tragedy, Diarra wanted to be involved against England in a show of defiance against those who were responsible for Friday's attacks.

And the all-action midfielder's determination didn't go unnoticed by those at Wembley when he was introduced in place of Yohan Cabaye in the 56th minute.

Diarra was in the thick of the action after coming on, seeing plenty of the ball as the French sought to get get themselves back into the game after going 2-0 down.

Over the weekend Diarra released a powerful statement that read: 'In this climate of terror, it is important for all of us who represent our country and its diversity to stay united against a horror which has no colour, no religion. 

'Stand together for love, respect and peace.'

His international manager Didier Deschamps paid tribute to his midfielder, saying: 'Lass has been touched to his core by the loss of someone close to him.

'He was determined to stay. He holds these values of solidarity. His presence is reassuring.

'Sport represents almost a union of diversity. As Diarra emotionally put it in his remarkable statement: sport has no colour, sport has no religion.'

Diarra and Antoine Griezmann (right) pose together during the international friendly match

Diarra and Antoine Griezmann (right) pose together during the international friendly match

Griezmann's sister escaped from the Bataclan concert hall where over 80 people lost their lives

Griezmann's sister escaped from the Bataclan concert hall where over 80 people lost their lives

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