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21st Nov 2015

Viewers find Watford mascot’s Paris tribute bizarre and inappropriate (Video)

Nooruddean Choudry

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…

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

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

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