English Premier League to intensify security check

The English Premier League gave safety briefings to all 20 clubs on Thursday and supporters have been advised to arrive at grounds earlier than usual due to the extra security checks that are scheduled to be carried out.

   There has been no change to Britain's terror threat level of "severe" and Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore reassured fans that the football authorities remained on "high alert".

   Meanwhile the Premier League will continue its show of solidarity with France as "La Marseillaise" will drift out across Premier League stadiums this weekend after last week's devastating terror attacks in Paris.

   Fans of France and England united for a moving rendition of the French national anthem prior to Tuesday's Wembley friendly and the rousing battle hymn is to be played again before each of this weekend's 10 games.

   With the English top flight's French contingent -- 72 players and two managers -- still reeling from the shock of the attacks, which have left 130 people dead and over 350 injured, it is a move that has been widely welcomed.

   "I think it's a nice gesture of solidarity," said Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger, whose side, co-leaders with Manchester City, visit West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

   Louis van Gaal, whose Manchester United side go to Watford in the first game of the weekend on Saturday lunchtime, applauded football's response to the events.

   "We can give support in symbols which is a nice thing for the French people, for the victims and the relatives of the victims," he said.  Endi