Videos of Japanese and Senegalese fans cleaning up after their respective World Cup matches have impressed football fans around the world.
Both teams overcame their adversaries, Colombia and Poland, by a score of two to one. But rather than rush out to celebrate the victories, delighted fans of the two teams instead began filling bin bags with litter and left behind in the stands.
This is my favourite moment of the World Cup so far; Japan fans picking up litter after their victory vs Columbia. The lessons in life we can take from the game. Why I support ???????? #class✅#respect✅#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/FyYLhAGDbi
— Christopher McKaig (@Coachmckaig) June 19, 2018
“Look at these Japan fans,” a Colombian supporter said as he filmed them gathering rubbish. “Can you believe it? Look at their sense of civic duty. It’s fantastic,” he enthused.
Senegal fans cleaning their section before leaving the stadium after their historic victory against Poland. This is class.
— World Cup 2018 (@WCGoalz) June 19, 2018
The best thing you will see today. ???????????? pic.twitter.com/IBINok3PQE
Could this positive example carry over to supporters of other teams, with post-match football fan clean-ups becoming a more regular feature of the sport?
What appears certain is that the Ekaterinburg Arena promises to be exceptionally clean on June 24, when Japan faces Senegal in the second game of group H.