Advice for fans attending England v France at Wembley
Tuesday 17 November 2015 20:00, UK
With Tuesday night's friendly between England and France getting the go ahead, here is some guidance for the fans at Wembley.
Following extensive liaison between The Football Association (FA), French Football Federation (FFF), UK Government and the relevant security authorities, the match will take place as planned with kick-off at 8pm, four nights after terrorist attacks in Paris that killed 129 people.
Information from the organisers for fans attending the game:
- Extra security measures will be in place including extensive searches upon entrance to Wembley
- Fans should arrive as early as possible to avoid delays in entering the stadium
- Organisers say it is preferable for fans not to bring bags and there will be increased bag searches upon entrance
- Tickets will not be available to buy from the Stadium Ticket Office on Tuesday so supporters are asked not to attend Wembley if they have not pre-purchased their tickets
Before the 8pm kick-off, the FA will remember the Paris incidents and encourages England fans to support the following initiatives:
- England fans are asked to respect the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, the words of which will be displayed on screens inside the arena. The words are also below.
- 'La Marseillaise' will be sung after God Save the Queen
- Materials will be on seats in the east side (England Home End) of the stadium, which will form the French Tricolour when fans hold them up during the anthem
- A minute's silence will be observed prior to kick-off
- Please ensure you take your seats no later than 7.55pm to observe the minute's silence and national anthems
- Both teams will wear black armbands
- The England team will make a gesture of solidarity to the French team before kick-off
Words to the French national anthem 'La Marseillaise':
Allons, enfants de la Patrie
Le jour de gloire est arrivé!
Contre nous, de la tyrannie
L'étendard sanglant est levé
Entendez-vous dans les campagnes
Mugir ces féroces soldats?
Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras
Égorger nos fils, nos compagnes!
Aux armes, citoyens!
Formez vos bataillons
Marchons, marchons!
Qu'un sang impur
Abreuve nos sillons!
English translation:
Arise, children of the Fatherland
The day of glory has arrived
Against us tyranny's
Bloody banner is raised
Do you hear, in the countryside
The roar of those ferocious soldiers?
They're coming right into your arms
To cut the throats of your sons, your women!
To arms, citizens!
Form your battalions
Let's march, let's march
Let an impure blood
Water our furrows!
