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Associated Press

As news of bloodshed filtered through the crowd and police sirens wailed outside, thousands of soccer fans milled around the Stade de France, reluctant to leave the seemingly safe stadium.
The spectators didn’t panic, despite hearing the sounds of explosions from outside — part of the carnage unfolding in the city that left dozens killed in multiple acts of violence. But there was plenty of unease and tension.
 
Reported explosion can be heard in this vine during Germany/France friendly at Paris stadium: https://t.co/dKePiW6byC
— Austin Hunt (@AustinHunt) November 13, 2015
 
During the first half of France’s soccer match against Germany on Friday, two explosions went off nearby. The first, at around 9.20 p.m., was a short and crisp bang.
“We heard them, but we thought they were home-made devices or fireworks,” soccer fan Frederic Lavergne said as he left the stadium. “We had no idea at the time what it was.”
The next “bang” followed only minutes later, clearly audible as it ripped through the chill air.
The noise inside the stadium was low at that point, since there was little excitement in the game, and the sounds of the sirens outside were loud and clear. So was the whirling sounds of the police helicopter buzzing overhead.
By the end of the match, which France won 2-0, the mood was one of silent contemplation as news filtered in through mobile phones and social networks relaying the carnage outside.
What would otherwise have been a celebration of France’s win became a night of worry. Some people were still singing near the end, but for most a sickening feeling had taken over.
Moments after the referee had blown his final whistle, hundreds of fans started streaming onto the field. At first, match stewards in their fluorescent tops surely were confused by the commotion. But it was soon clear that the fans just wanted to go onto the field, rather than face going outside.
“We preferred to stay on the field, that's where we felt safest,” Lavergne said. “We had difficulty understanding the explanations inside the stadium.”
After a second public address announcement reassuring fans that it was safe to leave and to take public transport, fans started moving out.
France will host the European Championship next year, and Friday's match was one of a handful of games remaining for coach Didier Deschamps to test the national team before the tournament.
There will now be doubts as to whether it will be safe to host the tournament, with 24 teams involved in matches across the country.


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Paris terror attacks

Paris attacks leave soccer fans at Stade de France in state of shock

TOPSHOTS Football fans gather in the field as they wait for security clearance to leave the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, after the friendly football match France vs Germany on November 13, 2015 following shootings and explosions near the stadium and in the French capital. A number of people were killed and others injured in a series of gun attacks across Paris, as well as explosions outside the national stadium where France was hosting Germany. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE

French supporters invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium at the end of the international friendly soccer match between France and Germany in Saint Denis, outside Paris, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. Hundreds of people spilled onto the field of the Stade de France stadium after explosions were heard nearby. French President Francois Hollande says he is closing the country's borders and declaring a state of emergency after several dozen people were killed in a series of unprecedented terrorist attacks. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

epa05023922 Players of German national soccer team react after the final whistle of the international friendly soccer match against France at Stade de Fance in Paris, France, 13 November 2015. At least 26 people have died in attacks in Paris on 13 November after reports of a shootout and explosions near the Stade de France stadium. EPA/UWE ANSPACH

epa05023874 Spectators gather on the pitch of the stadium after the international friendly soccer match between France and Germany at Stade de Fance in Paris, France, 13 November 2015. At least 26 people have died in attacks in Paris on 13 November after reports of a shootout and explosions near the Stade de France stadium. EPA/UWE ANSPACH

Soccer fans gather in the field as they wait for security clearance to leave the Stade de France in Saint-Denis after explosions were heard outside. Photo: AFP

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Fans take to the pitch as explosions heard outside the stadium 


As news of bloodshed filtered through the crowd and police sirens wailed outside, thousands of soccer fans milled around the Stade de France, reluctant to leave the seemingly safe stadium.


Paris attacks leave soccer fans at Stade de France in state of shock

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Fans take to the pitch as explosions heard outside the stadium

Fans take to the pitch as explosions heard outside the stadium