Minute's silence by French leagues for Paris terror attack victims

People hold banners and posters to show reactions against gun attack on the building of French magazine 'Charlie Hebdo' in Paris, leaving 12 dead.

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Paris, Jan 8 (IANS) French Ligue 1 and other football leagues in the country will observe a minute's silence before this weekend's games as a mark of respect for the victims of a terror attack here.

At least 12 people were confirmed shot dead Wednesday at the Paris office of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical newspaper, which French President Francois Hollande called "without doubt ... a terrorism attack", reports Xinhua.

"A minute's silence will precede the weekend meetings of the 20th day of Ligue 1 and the 19th day of Ligue 2," read an LFP statement Wednesday.

"This evening (Wednesday), a minute's silence will be observed before the match between Evian and Lille, a game delayed from the 14th round of Ligue 1," it continued.

Besides the minute's silence, players of both teams were wearing black armbands during the match.

Lille president Michel Seydoux expressed "his deepest sadness" at the event through a statement released by his club before the game.

The 20th round of Ligue will kick off first between Montpellier and league leaders Marseille Friday after a two-week long winter break.