THE FRENCH NATIONAL anthem, ‘La Marseillaise’, will be played before all Premier League fixtures this weekend as a tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks.
The Premier League has also confirmed a minute’s silence will take place prior to kick-off and both teams will wear black armbands as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the French capital.
Football League clubs have also been given the option to take part in the tribute.
“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,” Richard Scudamore, Premier League Executive Chairman, said in a statement.
“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.”
A choral version of ‘La Marseillaise’ will be played after the coin toss, with players from both teams coming together with the official and assistants in the centre circle facing the main stand.
There are 72 French players currently in the Premier League, making France the second-most represented nation after England.
The Premier League has issued new security guidelines to top-flight clubs in the wake of the attacks which saw the State de France targeted.
France’s national stadium was one the venues targeted in a series of attacks that saw 129 people killed on Friday, with three men detonating explosive belts in the vicinity of the ground during a friendly against Germany.
Premier League officials have subsequently consulted with security advisors, police and the government to come up with new measures.
On Tuesday, England and France supporters joined players from both teams in singing a rendition of ‘La Marseillaise’ ahead of their international friendly at Wembley.
The stadium was illuminated in the colours of the French tricolor flag and the country’s national motto of “Liberte, egalite, fraternite” ahead of kick-off.
FA president the Duke of Cambridge joined England and France coaches Roy Hodgson and Didier Deschamps in laying floral tributes on the touchline, and they were accompanied on to the field by UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Breaking with tradition, the home national anthem of ‘God Save the Queen’ was played first before the words to the French anthem were beamed from the stadium screens and sung as a smattering of tricolour waved throughout the stands.
Ahead of this weekend’s fixtures, fans have been asked to remain vigilant and patient as they enter the grounds with extra security staff and measures set to be implemented.
There was a heightened police and security presence at the Aviva Stadium on Monday evening for Ireland’s Euro 2016 play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Chelsea have revealed the cover of their matchday programme for Saturday’s clash against Norwich which features the Tricolore and the club’s French international Kurt Zouma.
