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Hamilton Academical honour Paris victims by wearing France change kit versus Aberdeen

Hamilton labelled up 20 France second kits for their match against Aberdeen
Image: Hamilton labelled up 20 France second kits for their match against Aberdeen

Hamilton Academical decided to honour the victims of the Paris terror attacks by wearing the France second strip in the Scottish Premiership clash against Aberdeen.

The two clubs faced a kit clash at New Douglas Park on Sunday, with both the Aberdeen all-red home strip and all-white away strip clashing with Hamilton's red and white hoops.

And Hamilton therefore set about obtaining 20 France international kits and fitting them with Accies badges and sponsors.

Hamilton striker Christian Nade is French and his 18-year-old sister Franzette had to hide under the table of a restaurant in Paris after gunmen opened fire on the neighbouring cafe during the horrifying attacks on November 13.

The Accies also have a French coach in the shape of Guillaume Beuzelin.

A club statement said: "The two clubs had a genuine kit issue for this fixture. Whatever Aberdeen wore clashed with our first-choice kit.

"Both teams were then left with the only option of both wearing second-choice kits, but this meant our first-choice kit sponsor weren't getting their names on the jerseys in the prestigious home live TV fixture.

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"Then came 'thinking out of the box', particularly in view of football paying its own tribute after the tragic events in Paris last Friday, and with Accies having two senior staff from France in Guillaume and Nade.

Hamilton have two French coaches at the club
Image: Hamilton have two Frenchmen at the club

"An approach was made to the SPFL and approval as a one-off was given for the club using the French kit for this fixture, with our our normal first-choice sponsor, Accies badge, Scottish and French flags.

"The club then had to source 20 French kits, but could not complete the French home kit in various sizes, so we now have the complete all-white French second kit.

"It was a race against time on Friday and Saturday to get them all badged, named, numbered, sponsored front and back and sleeved badged in time for the game.

"The plan is that all the jerseys will be sent to each of the French Ligue 1 clubs for them to be auctioned off for their charities."

Dougie Imrie, who scored Hamilton's goal in a 1-1 draw, said: "It was a great gesture from the club to show their support to Paris and the French people.

Hamilton's Dougie Imrie celebrates
Image: Dougie Imrie celebrates after scoring against Aberdeen

"I only knew when I came into the dressing room and saw the strip."

Nade started on the bench and did not come on but manager Martin Canning said: "I spoke to Christian through the week and he was fine.

"His sister was involved in it but mentally he felt fine. It just so happened that Christian didn't get on but his attitude through the week has been spot-on."

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