England vs. France: How singing 'La Marseillaise' became a different war chant

    By Sheena McKenzie, for CNN

    Updated 1855 GMT (0255 HKT) November 17, 2015

    A French football fan, draped in the national flag, walks towards Wembley Stadium in London, ahead of the international friendly football match between England and France.
    Photos: France to play England in soccer match following terrorist attacks.
    A French football fan, draped in the national flag, walks towards Wembley Stadium in London, ahead of the international friendly football match between England and France.
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    England fans are being asked to sing La Marseillaise, with the French national anthem's words to be displayed on Wembley's screens. The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed all of the squad will travel to London for Tuesday's game.
    Photos: France to play England in soccer match following terrorist attacks.
    England fans are being asked to sing La Marseillaise, with the French national anthem's words to be displayed on Wembley's screens. The French Football Federation (FFF) has confirmed all of the squad will travel to London for Tuesday's game.
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    Three explosions occurred outside Paris' Stade de France Friday, where France beat Germany 2-0 in an international friendly. French President Francois Hollande was at the game and was evacuated after the first explosion.
    Photos: France to play England in soccer match following terrorist attacks.
    Three explosions occurred outside Paris' Stade de France Friday, where France beat Germany 2-0 in an international friendly. French President Francois Hollande was at the game and was evacuated after the first explosion.
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    The game was played to its conclusion, but the 80,000 capacity crowd were told not to leave the stadium following the final whistle and gathered on the pitch before being evacuated.
    Photos: France to play England in soccer match following terrorist attacks.
    The game was played to its conclusion, but the 80,000 capacity crowd were told not to leave the stadium following the final whistle and gathered on the pitch before being evacuated.
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    French midfielder Lassana Diarra tussles with Germany's Thomas Mueller during Friday's match at the Stade de France. Diarra later revealed that his cousin had been a victim of the attacks in the French capital. <br />"She was like a big sister to me," the 30 year-old said.
    Photos: France to play England in soccer match following terrorist attacks.
    French midfielder Lassana Diarra tussles with Germany's Thomas Mueller during Friday's match at the Stade de France. Diarra later revealed that his cousin had been a victim of the attacks in the French capital.
    "She was like a big sister to me," the 30 year-old said.
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    French midfielder Antoine Griezmann also revealed after the game his sister survived the attack at the Bataclan theater, where at least 89 people died. The 24-year-old Atletico Madrid forward <a href="https://twitter.com/AntoGriezmann/status/665355975352844289" target="_blank">said on social media</a>: "Thanks to God that my sister was able to leave the Bataclan. All my prayers are with the victims and their families."
    Photos: France to play England in soccer match following terrorist attacks.
    French midfielder Antoine Griezmann also revealed after the game his sister survived the attack at the Bataclan theater, where at least 89 people died. The 24-year-old Atletico Madrid forward said on social media: "Thanks to God that my sister was able to leave the Bataclan. All my prayers are with the victims and their families."
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    It's the second time this year Paris has been struck by terrorism after 12 people were killed by gunmen in January. The attacks have raised concerns about fans' safety at Euro 2016, which is being held in France between June 10 and July 10 next year.
    Photos: France to play England in soccer match following terrorist attacks.
    It's the second time this year Paris has been struck by terrorism after 12 people were killed by gunmen in January. The attacks have raised concerns about fans' safety at Euro 2016, which is being held in France between June 10 and July 10 next year.
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    Euro 2016 president Jacques Lambert has promised the organization will take the "necessary decisions" to ensure the tournament takes place securely. "The security in stadiums works well, the risk is more out in the streets, in spontaneous gatherings," Lambert told broadcaster RTL.
    Photos: France to play England in soccer match following terrorist attacks.
    Euro 2016 president Jacques Lambert has promised the organization will take the "necessary decisions" to ensure the tournament takes place securely. "The security in stadiums works well, the risk is more out in the streets, in spontaneous gatherings," Lambert told broadcaster RTL.
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    wembley stadium frenchParis Attacks Wembley Stadium England vs France 2Paris Attacks Francois Hollande Paris Attacks Stade de France French attack (7)French attacks (8) France Euro 2016 Trophy ParisParis Attacks Stafe de France security

    Story highlights

    • High security at French football match against England
    • Fans from both sides will sing French national anthem

    (CNN)When 90,000 football fans sing the French national anthem Tuesday, they will be evoking a defiant "call to arms" which was first penned centuries before the Paris terrorist attacks.

    Just a few days after the atrocities which claimed at least 129 lives -- including explosions near the Stade de France -- the French football team is set to play England in what is likely to be an emotional end-of-year-friendly at London's Wembley Stadium.
      It's almost unheard of for fans to sing their rival's national anthem -- a traditional ceremony for international matches held before the kickoff -- but supporters will be encouraged to belt out "La Marseillaise," with the words displayed on the stadium's big screens.
        Even as football fans were evacuated after the France-Germany game on Friday, they sang "La Marseillaise" in a show of solidarity.