The decision to have France’s national anthem played ahead of Saturday’s matches was and act of “solidarity and remembrance” Premier League chief Richard Scudamore said, according to the BBC.
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In addition, the French and Italian flags will be displayed on the pitch before kick-off.
Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger called it a ‘nice gesture of solidarity while Everton manager Roberto Martinez added that “it was a fantastic vehicle for showing solidarity and what the game of football can do”.
The club have confirmed that all spectators will be searched at entry points in the wake of last weekend’s terror attacks in Paris.
Fifteen of the Premier League’s 20 teams now have French players in their first-team squad, all of whom will be hugely appreciative of the support from the whole of English soccer this weekend, plus there are other PL players who were born and raised in France but play for other nations internationally.
NBC Sports reports that 72 French players now play in the Premier League, second only to England in representation.
“It would be welcomed and I think there would be a tolerance to it”, he said.
Hughes admitted that the explosions outside the Stade de France last Friday, while France were playing Germany, brought events close to home for people spending their working life in the world of football.
The Premier League consider themselves on high alert at top-flight matches anyway, but will step up security following the tragic events in France. It was quite a week however, the terrorist attacks in Paris last Friday were extremely horrific, with a death toll of 129 and over 300 injured.
“We have a lot of French connections at Newcastle and our hearts have been with both them and their country in the past week or so”.
The anthem was well observed although a few United supporters sang “Ooh ah Cantona” to the tune, referencing their former French forward Eric Cantona ahead of the visitors 2-1 win. We’re standing up against terror.
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Asked if he had any history against Southampton boss Ronald Koeman left over from their playing days, he joked: “Probably”.
