Due to the international break, Saturday saw the first set of Premier League fixtures since the tragic events in Paris just over a week ago.
As a tribute to those who lost their lives, and by way of solidarity with the mourning nation of France, it was decided that La Marseillaise would be played before each weekend fixture. The first of these was the early kick-off between Watford and Manchester United.
Both sets of players and the match officials stood shoulder to shoulder as the anthem played. It was a particularly poignant moment for Watford’s Etienne Capoue and United’s Morgan Schneiderlin, hearing their anthem ring round Vicarage Road in such sad circumstances.
However, the bizarre decision to place Watford’s mascot, Harry the Hornet, in amongst the players was perhaps a misjudgement. The smiling six foot plus character looked somewhat incongruous in the rather sombre settings, and many were less than impressed with his needless inclusion…
Honestly Watford, how difficult is it to take your mascot off the park before the minutes silence? pic.twitter.com/O2K4DsXRLd
— Stuart Mathie (@stuartmathie) November 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/woodstome/status/668047633819279360
https://twitter.com/paulofarrell/status/668047167412690946
Something just not right with this picture of Harry the Hornet observing the minutes silence for the Paris attacks pic.twitter.com/8j8SxRmGy7
— Paul Clark (@_pc_) November 21, 2015
Why's the Watford mascot standing arm in arm with the players during the French national anthem? It looks ridiculous
— Bill Labance (@Bill_Labance) November 21, 2015
Harry the Hornet is Paris. Solemn mascots needs to be a meh meh. pic.twitter.com/OGmiwn3E43
— Mustafa Redonkulous (@mredonkulous) November 21, 2015
https://twitter.com/cpgrainger/status/668048806685069312
Harry the fucking Hornet standing for La Marseillaise before a Premier League game.
Fuck this, lads.
I'm out pic.twitter.com/Zr8YbHMJ5Z— Baz Devine (@baz_devine) November 21, 2015
