I feared for my life in Paris terrorist attacks, says Alan Cork
Monday 16 November 2015 12:59, UK
England scout Alan Cork admitted he feared for his life during Friday night's terrorist attacks in Paris.
Cork was at the Stade de France to watch the hosts play Germany, ahead of England's friendly with Les Bleus at Wembley on Tuesday.
Supporters were targeted as part of co-ordinated attacks around Paris, in which 129 people were killed.
Three suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the stadium, killing four including the bombers. At least one of the bombers had tried - and failed - to gain access to the stadium.
Two of the blasts were audible inside the ground, though the match continued to be played.
Word soon spread around the stadium about what was happening in the French capital.
"It was a strange experience," Cork told Sky Sports News HQ. "There were two loud bangs during the game and no-one realised what it was.
"Half-time came and we were still writing our reports. Our French driver who spoke very good English said two bombs had gone off. We could see the crowd changing a little bit. Our mobile phones were going crazy. So we stopped writing our reports and started working out what we were going to do next.
"It gradually got worse because at first we didn't know how close it was. Where we drove into the ground was where the two bombs were. So we actually came by it. I suppose we were lucky really that we didn't get involved with the bombs."
Cork said that the most frightening moment came when it was rumoured that another terrorist was outside the ground with a machine gun.
"Once we realised we realised it was sporadic, all over Paris, we didn't know what to do with ourselves," he said. "At the final whistle we were trying to leave but they wouldn't let anyone out. All of a sudden people were trying to get back in. Our driver said there was a man outside with a machine gun.
"So we were half expecting someone to come on the pitch and start shooting to be honest. That got a bit scary then.
"There was no panic really but you could see people were worried.
"In the end the FA said to stay put so we stayed in the stadium for two hours. We got back to the hotel about 1.30am in the morning."
Cork revealed that security was tight ahead of the match.
"At the ground we were all frisked. The cards were checked," he said. "A bomber did try to get in apparently. The bombers were obviously waiting for the crowd. It is scary to think, if they did get in with 60-70,000 people how many would have died."
