Sir, – These people are not fans; they are just holidaymakers. The football is incidental to these people, as proved by their celebrations in Bordeaux on Saturday night after getting spanked by Belgium. The excessive drinking and the interactions between these holidaymakers and locals has been embarrassing, not funny.
Media outlets are perpetuating this “greatest fans in the world” myth with idiotic stories and online videos. The fact is that these people know little or anything about the Irish team. Look at the amount of Irish people leaving the stadium early on Saturday against Belgium. We have met Irish fans in France who attend games home and away and who are the real fans but sadly they are in the minority, and have no voice in the media.
Will these people be in the Aviva come the World Cup qualifiers? I doubt it, and a part of me hopes they stay away.
Binge-drinking and idiotic behaviour are not pretty and have nothing to do with football.
JAMES O’KEEFFE,
Navan, Co Meath.