Following the tragedies that befell Paris last Friday, the Premier League have decided to play the French national anthem before every Premier League game this weekend. Earlier this week, the Marseillaise was given a roaring rendition in Wembley Stadium before the England v France match.
Richard Scudamore, the Premier League Chief Executive, explained the decision:
“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.
“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.”
There are 72 French players in the Premier League, the biggest number from a single nationality after England.