The Premier League called for the French national anthem to be played after the coin toss at all 10 matches on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (21-23 November) in tribute to those who lost their lives in the shooting and bomb attacks in the France capital.
Watford and Manchester United fans marked last weeks Paris attacks on Saturday as La Marseillaise rang out at Vicarage Road stadium. Players of hosts Watford and visitors Manchester United linked arms as they stood at the centre of the pitch while the anthem was heard. More than 70 Frenchmen play in the Premier League, making France the second-most represented nation after England.
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, the Premier Leagues chief executive Richard Scudamore said in a statement on Thursday (19 November).
