A tidy result: The fans who clear up after themselves
IT was a result to remember for Japanese fans as their side cleaned up on the pitch with a 2-1 victory.
But many held off their celebrations to tidy up the stadium, collecting discarded cups and wrappers in plastic bags.
Videos on social media showed a large group, many wearing their nation’s blue colours, picking up litter after the victory over Columbia on Tuesday.
Supporters of Senegal also showed the same community spirit as they stayed behind to give the stands a clean sweep after their 2-1 win over Poland in Moscow.
The actions drew praise online with one user posting: ‘Much respect. Everyone should take notes and learn.’ Another said: ‘How decent of them, fantastic job. We should all do the same clean up after ourselves, it’s not hard and respectful.’
Some Japanese fans had even brought their own supplies to the Mordovia Arena in Saransk. Japan-based journalist Scott McIntyre told the BBC: ‘It’s not just part of the football culture but Japanese culture.
‘An important aspect of Japanese society is making sure that everything is absolutely clean and that’s the case in all sporting events and certainly in football.’
Japan play Senegal in Group H on Sunday – so organisers can look forward to the stadium being left a lot tidier than normal.