Football is a game of millions. Unfortunately, sometimes passion on the stands turns into violence, fights, and riots. But there are countries where fans prove that football can be a celebration, not a battlefield. Their support is an art, respect for the opponent, and love for the game, not destruction. Who are the most peaceful football fans in the world? Japan: cleanliness and silence as a national idea Japanese fans are known worldwide. After matches, they stay on the stands to clean up the litter. This is not a PR campaign, but a part of the culture. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Japanese impressed everyone: after losing to Belgium, they not only collected their bags but also cleaned the dressing room, leaving a thank-you note in Russian. Their cheering is organized but not aggressive. They do not insult opponents but applaud beautiful goals, even in their own goal. Moreover, Japanese fans rarely get into conflicts with the police or fans from other countries. The reason is in education, where respect for foreign culture and public order come first. Even when the national team is eliminated, they do not cause riots but thank the team with tears and salutes. Iceland: Viking cheer and family atmosphere Small Iceland became a football sensation at Euro-2016, but not just because of the game. Their fans gave the world the "Viking cheer" — synchronized clapping and exhaling that fills the stadium with primordial power. However, there is no violence behind this power. Icelandic fans are usually whole families with children. They come to tournaments for peaceful purposes, often in national sweaters and with daughters on their shoulders. A country with a population of just over 300,000 cannot afford a gang of hooligans. Their support is unity, not intimidation. Even after losses, they applaud the team and opponents, and chaos on the stands is rare. New Zealand: smiling kiwis New Zealand fans (All Whites in football and All Blacks in rugby) are known fo ...
Read more