West Ham fans have been reacting to the news that they – along with all other fans in the country – will be asked to sing the French National Anthem before the game at White Hart Lane on Sunday.
There have been suggestions that the show of solidarity with the French at Tuesday evening’s international was sufficient.
Here’s how Hammers fans reacted on the ClaretandHugh Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/363174467150521/permalink/727815724019725/?comment_id=727943930673571¬if_t=group_comment
Graham Herbert I will probably be shot down in flames over this post but…. I actually think that playing (and more importantly, expecting fans to sing) the French National Anthem is a bit over-the-top. Why? Well, by now anyone who actually cares (and I include myse myself) will have already paid there respects and expressed their feelings regarding the Paris atrocities. Also, how many people can actually sing the words (even if they are written down)? I’m sure there must be a better, more relevant way to pay one’s respects?
Carol Combes Would be better if we always played ours at every pro match. Still, won’t hurt to concentrate people’s minds before a tense game?
Niall McDonald agree with the comments above, the FA handled things superbly well on Tuesday night with a genuinely moving and respectful tribute. I dont see why football feels the need to make a further show. I’m not dismissing the horrendous events in paris at all. I dont see why football feels the need to make a further show. I’m not dismissing the horrendous events in paris at all, but I do wonder what happens the next time, and there will be a next time sadly, something like this happens. Did we play the Russian anthem after their passenger jet was shot down last month?
Martin Rusz Awful what happened to the French people but agree above, surely everyone paid their respects Tuesday night
Paul Coughlin This West Ham fan won’t .
Dave Jenkins Spot on Graham This is overkill now I disagree with having a minutes silence this will be the 3rd one this weekend – who will actually sing it? There will some mumbling at best more this likely
Jamie Moore Tragic events in Paris but so was the slaughter of 38 Brits on a beach in Tunisia, I don’t recall any other country singing our National Anthem when that happened…