In remembrance of those killed in the Paris terror attacks last Friday, the Premier League will play a choral version of the French national anthem, “La Marseillaise,” before each game this weekend.
Premier League executive Chairman Richard Scudamore stated that the league will play the anthem because of the “long standing-relationship” the league enjoys with France. “We were all saddened and deeply shocked by the events in Paris last Friday, and 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,” Scudamore lamented.
All participating players will gather in the centre circle and face the main stand while “La Marseillaise” plays. NBC Sports reports that 72 French players currently play in the Premier League, second only to England in representation.
On top of that, Chelsea players plan to wear black armbands displaying the French flag during their home game with Norwich City on Saturday, according to a BBC report.
The league briefed all teams on security and the possibility of terror threats. During last week’s massacre at least one terrorist unsuccessfully sought entry to Stade de France duirng the soccer game between France and Germany. UK Prime Minister David Cameron and France President François Hollande both attended the game.
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