The Premier League executive chairman, Richard Scudamore, added: “Given how close we are as well as the long-standing relationship that exists between the Premier League and France, playing La Marseillaise as an act of solidarity and remembrance is the right thing to do”.
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Newcastle United will play “La Marseillaise” before their game with Leicester City, in memory of those who lost their lives during the Paris attacks last Friday night.
Prior to the anthems, and a solemnly observed minute’s silence, figures including Prince William, France coach Didier Deschamps, England manager Roy Hodgson, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet and his English counterpart Greg Dyke laid floral tributes beside the pitch. It’s not an obvious one for the fans, just like it would not be an obvious one for fans in France to sing God Save the Queen, because they don’t know the words.
“Symbolically it’s a very nice gesture”.
The decision comes after respects were paid to the 129 victims ahead of England’s clash with France at Wembley on Tuesday evening.
It is understood that a number of Premier League clubs were keen on the idea, especially those with French players in their squads. “What happened was unbelievable”. That included a detailing of the current threat level, which the league says remains unchanged.
Germany’s players and coaching staff were already shaken by Friday’s events in Paris, having stayed at the Stade de France until the early hours of Saturday morning before returning home.
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Each club will liaise with its local police force “to ensure that appropriate arrangements are maintained and delivered in the context of the guidance provided by national security services”, according to a Premier League statement that didn’t go into further detail.
