La Marseillaise: French national anthem will be played at all Premier League matches this weekend

There are 72 French footballers playing in the English top-flight 
Solidarity: Premier League grounds will follow Wembley's lead in paying tribute to the victims of the Paris attacks
Tom Dutton19 November 2015

The French national anthem, La Marseillaise, will be played before every Premier League game this weekend to pay tribute to those killed in last Friday's Paris terror attacks.

The decision comes after respects were paid to the 129 victims ahead of England's clash with France at Wembley on Tuesday evening.

Supporters of both national sides joined to sing La Marseillaise as Prince William, Roy Hodgson and Didier Deschamps laid wreaths before the teams came together for a minute's silence in the centre of the pitch.

And Premier League chief Richard Scudamore has announced there will now be similar scenes across the top flight this weekend with a choral version of the Frenchnational anthem to be played after the coin toss.

"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," he said.

"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."

It comes as the Premier League reiterated their stringent security measures as countries across Europe increase vigilance in the wake of last week's attack.

Wembley pays tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks

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The Premier League says there is a "heightened sense of awareness" after the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday and though the 'severe' threat level remains unchanged, the clubs have been reminded of the latest security advice.

Scudamore said: "The clubs have been fully briefed in context of the current guidance from national security services and are liaising with their local police forces to ensure the appropriate security and safety measures are in place for their matches and stadiums."

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