France v Republic of Ireland
European qualifier in 2005.
Thousands of Irish fans started singing, well actually, humming, the French National Anthem, with great gusto. In fact, so much gusto that the French fans stopped, stared and listened in utter surprise with the Irish fans. A smiling Brian Kerr, Irish manager, said it helped calm the nervous tension in the Irish team. It also showed opposition football fans that Irish fans celebrate the footballing occassion with a bit of fun and a lot of respect for the fine French National Anthem.
You can see and hear Brian Kerr’s reaction in this video clip – his comments (and his smile) are quite insightful.
And it happened again in 2009.
In fact, it happens quite often now whenever Irish fans meet French fans at football matches.
Will it happen if the Irish rugby team meets the French rugby team in France in the Rugby World Cup 2023?
What do you think?
If you like this, you might enjoy these:
Fans Sing For Opposition Goalkeeper Who Lost His Mother
Great Fans – Wenger Stops TV Commentators so French Can hear Irish Sing
French Rugby Sportsmanship Surprised & Delighted Irishman (includes the now-famous photograph of the South African fan hugging the Japanese fan after Japan’s shock victory in 2015 – this is a ‘must read’).
More stories about fans having fun and sharing new friendship
Please do post a comment if you get a moment.