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Football

21st Nov 2015

Viewers find Watford mascot’s Paris tribute bizarre and inappropriate

Not the time or place

Nooruddean Choudry

Due to the international break, Saturday was 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 a show of solidarity with the mourning nation of France, it was decided that La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, will 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 official stood shoulder to shoulder as the anthem played. It was particularly poignant moment for Watford’s Etienne Capoue and United’s Morgan Schneiderlin to hear their nation’s lyrics ring round Vicarage Road.

However, the bizarre decision to place Watford’s mascot, Harry the Hornet, in amongst the players was perhaps a misjudgement. The smiling six foot character looked somewhat incongruous in the rather sombre settings, and many were less than impressed…

https://twitter.com/woodstome/status/668047633819279360

https://twitter.com/paulofarrell/status/668047167412690946

https://twitter.com/cpgrainger/status/668048806685069312

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