With Euro 2016 already seeing violence erupt between Russian and English fans, Ireland's Tourism Minister, Shane Ross, has said that the reputation of Irish fans for being fun loving and well behaved could help boost tourism numbers here at home.
There's been around 36 arrests by French police and 16 fans have been taken to hospital with a variety of injuries as a result of the clashes in Lille, according to the BBC. As a result of the violence, Russia was given a €150,000 fine and a suspended disqualification from UEFA, while the French authorities drafted in extra police and placed further restrictions on the sale of alcohol.
However, speaking to Newstalk, Ross said that the recent video clip of Irish fans cleaning up after themselves in Paris and chanting, "Clean up for the boys in green", and general good behaviour has made them "the best ambassadors we could possibly have abroad" and is likely to attract more overseas visitors to Ireland once the tournament is over.
"The Irish fans are fantastic, the Irish fans do us proud. I think they will bring in, by themselves, by their friendly attitudes, by their portrayal of Ireland as a wonderful sporting nation. They'll bring in tourism and they'll contribute to the growth of our economy."
