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Lassana Diarra's cousin killed in Paris terror attacks while midfielder was playing for France against Germany

Asta Diakite was one of the 128 victims that died in a series of attacks across Paris on Friday

Jack de Menezes

Saturday 14 November 2015 19:18 GMT

Lassana Diarra (L) tussles with Thomas Muller of Germany (Getty Images)

Former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra’s cousin was one of the victims of the Paris terror attacks on Friday night, with the footballer playing at the Stade de France for France when it was targeted by a suicide bomber.

Diarra took to Twitter to confirm that his cousin, Asta Diakite, was killed in the attacks across the French capital that saw at least 128 people die after eight gunmen tore through the city.

Marseille midfielder Diarra was playing for France against Germany when a blast was heard during the match, with an explosion at the stadium killing three suicide bombers and injuring many others.

Diarra wrote in French: “Good evening everyone,

“Following the dramatic events that occurred yesterday in Paris and Saint Denis, it is with heavy heart that I rise today.

“As you maybe have read, I have been personally affected by these attacks. My cousin, Asta Diakite, is among the victims of one of shootings that took place yesterday, as hundreds of other innocent French. She supported me… she was a big sister.

Timeline of Paris attacks

“In this climate of terror, it is important for all of us who are representatives of our country and its diversity, to speak and to remain united against a horror that has no colour, no religion.

“Defend all the love, respect and peace. Thank you all for your testimony and your messages, take care of yourself, and that our victims rest in peace.

“#PrayForPeace #FranceUnie

“See you soon, Lass.”

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

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The world mourns Paris attacks

Members of the public gather to lay flowers and light candles at La Belle Equipe restaraunt on Rue de Charonne in Paris

Getty

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

People lay a memorial to honour victims of the Paris terror attacks at Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

Soccer fans display the colors of the French flag in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Paris, France before the soccer match between the New York Cosmos' and the Ottawa Fury for the North American Soccer League championship at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, USA

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

Pakistani Civil society activists shout slogans during a protest against Isis militants near the French consulate for the victims of the 13 November Paris attacks in Karachi, Pakistan

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

People gather and view messages written on the ground at Place de la Republique in Paris

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

French flags and a note reading "We will not let you spoil our children's lives" at the site of the attack at the Cafe Belle Equipe on rue de Charonne in the 11th district, in Paris

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

A rose is placed beside a bullet hole at La Belle Equipe restaraunt on Rue de Charonne following the terrorist attack in Paris. As France observes three days of national mourning members of the public continue to pay tribute to the victims of deadly attacks

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

Bono and band members of U2 pay their respects and place flowers on the pavement near the scene of yesterday's Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack in Paris

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

A man kneels as he pays tribute to victims at Place de la Republique near the deadly attack sites in Paris

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

Tributes to the victims at the Place de la Republique square in Paris

AFP

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

An electronic billboard on a canal show solidarity with Paris in Milan

EPA

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

People lay down flowers and light candles to tribute victims of Friday's attacks in Paris as the Brandenburg gate is illuminated in blue, white and red in the colors of the French flag, in Berlin

Reuters

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

A man leaves flowers as a tribute following the deadly attacks in Paris, outside the French consulate in Istanbul

Reuters

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

People take pictures of flowers placed in bullet holes in the window of a Japanese restaurant next to the cafe 'La Belle Equipe'

AFP

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

People gather at a makeshift memorial next to the Bataclan theatre in Paris on November 14, 2015,

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

A woman carrying flowers cries in front of the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris

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The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

People gather in front of flowers that were laid outside the French embassy in Rome

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The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

People react near the cafe 'La Belle Equipe' at the Rue de Charonne

AFP

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

A young girl places a candle in front of the Carillon cafe in Paris

AP

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

Flowers placed outside the cafe 'La Belle Equipe' at the Rue de Charonne in Paris, the scene for one of the attacks

AFP

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

A woman is comforted by others outside the Carillon cafe and the Petit Cambodge restaurant in Paris

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

The Brandenbourg Gate featuring French national colors is pictured in Berlin, on November 14, 2015 a day after deadly attacks in Paris

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

Flowers are laid in front of the French embassy in Rome

EPA

The world mourns Paris attacks - in pictures

The world mourns Paris attacks

A candle is lit next to flowers outside the French Embassy in Berlin

AFP

Diarra played 80 minutes at the Stade de France before coming off the pitch as he was replaced by Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.

The French Football Federation has already announced that Tuesday’s international friendly against England at Wembley Stadium will go ahead as planned in a move of deviance against the terrorist attackers, although whether Diarra plays any part is not known.

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