The so-called “Viking chant” that captured the imagination during the UEFA Euros has earned Icelandic football fans a nomination for a new award.
BBC reports that Den Haag, FC Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund fans are also up for the “Fans of the Year” award, which will be presented in Zurich this coming January.
“Fifa says the contest was set up to recognise an outstanding fan moment or gesture, and can be awarded to any fan or fan group regardless of league level, gender or nationality,” BBC reports. “Football’s world governing body says ‘Icelandic players leading superbly choreographed fan chants became one of the iconic images of UEFA Euro 2016.'”
The chant itself is not the sole reason for the nomination, and for good reason: Icelandic fans did not invent this chant. Rather, it was appropriated from Scottish fans of the team Motherwell.
Other factors that contributed to the nomination include the fact that close to 8% of the population attended the Euros, and Iceland’s players demonstrated a close relationship with their fans.
You can vote for your pick for Fans of the Year here.
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