Premier League clubs to play La Marseillaise before this weekend’s games in tribute to victims of Paris terror attacks
La Marseillaise is to be played before all of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures as a tribute to the 129 people killed in last week’s terrorist attacks on Paris.
England football chiefs were praised for encouraging all 70,000 supporters to join in the French national anthem before Tuesday’s poignant friendly between England and Les Bleus at Wembley.
Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore called this weekend’s move “an act of solidarity and remembrance” and “the right thing to do” owing to England’s proximity to and relationship with France.
“We were all saddened and deeply shocked by the events in Paris last Friday,” said Scudamore.
“The fact it was an attack on people enjoying their everyday freedoms like going to a bar, a concert or a football match resonates with football fans and the general public throughout the UK.”
Clubs have also sought advice on increasing security for the 10 games scheduled between tomorrow and Monday, which are the first in the division to take place since the attacks in the French capital.
Part of the Paris attacks involved three suicide bombers detonating devices outside the Stade de France while the national team played Germany, having failed to gain entry to the stadium.
German authorities evacuated a stadium in Hanover less than two hours before kick-off on Tuesday night where they were due to host Holland after a security alert, while Belgian chiefs called off a planned friendly with Spain on the same day.
“The clubs have been fully briefed in context of the current guidance from national security services and are liaising with their local police forces to ensure the appropriate security and safety measures are in place for their matches and stadiums,” Scudamore added.