Irish Fans to Get French Medal for Sportsmanship
The mayor of Paris has contacted President Michael D Higgins to pay tribute to the Green Army. Anne Hidalgo wants to honour Irish soccer supporters for the way they've behaved over the last three weeks in France.
While violent scenes between Russian and English fans tainted the tournament in Lille, Republic of Ireland supporters have been impressing the French with their sense of camaraderie and fun-loving spirit. Videos have gone viral of people cleaning up in Bordeaux, bellowing Maniac 2000 in Paris and singing lullabies to a baby on a train. And while French Air Traffic Controllers were on strike, one Irish pilot was losing his life over making it to the last 16.
Now according to French newspaper L'Equipe, Mayor Hidalgo wants to celebrate Ireland supporters by awarding the Medal of the City of Paris "for their exemplary sportsmanship". The 'Grand Vermeil' is one of the capital's most prestigious honours. Previous winners have included Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas!
There were rumbles in some quarters about the tsunami of videos showing how sound we are. It led to this gas video by Foil, Arms and Hog. But sure listen, the French think we're deadly now and there'll soon be a medal to prove it!