The ideals of liberté, égalité, fraternité have been at the forefront of everyone's minds since last Friday's terrible events in Paris — has it really been a week already? — and while some of the responses to those events have been uplifting and hopeful and lovely, some are more harsh and drastic and necessary. Match-going fans tomorrow at Stamford Bridge will experience both.
An official notice from the club is advising fans to arrive earlier than normal for the 3pm kick-off to not only navigate successfully and patiently through the increased security measures in place at the stadium, but to be in their seats at least five minutes before kick-off for a rendition of the French national anthem, which will play at every Premier League ground (and many, many others as well) this weekend.
The club will be increasing its security controls inside and around Stamford Bridge and it is requested supporters avoid bringing bags where possible, as enhanced searches will be taking place.
-source: Chelsea FC
The players will be wearing black armbands decorated with the Tricolore in solidarity with the victims, and apparently there will be a new banner crowd-surfed by the Matthew Harding Stand as well. The matchday programme will also feature the French flag and will contain a special note from one of our French internationals, young Kurt Zouma.
A message to fans ahead of Saturday's game against Norwich: https://t.co/EIgRSG7nQ9 pic.twitter.com/3LxMZvCrQe
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 19, 2015