Durban — Japanese fans were filmed and interviewed after they were seen cleaning up after fans during the Fifa World Cup 2022 opening match between Qatar and Ecuador held in Qatar.
After the final whistle and the crowds dispersed, Japanese fans decided to clean up.
They were filmed and interviewed by Bahrain videographer Omar Farooq.
In his video, Farooq says someone convinced him that cleaning up was normal.
“At the end of the opening match of the World Cup between Qatar and Ecuador,” Farooq said.
He said that the Japanese fans decided to clean the stadium.
“It’s not even their match,” he said.
Farooq offered to help the Japanese fans and he was thanked for that.
He said that when he asked the fans why they were cleaning, especially since it was not related to them, they said the Japanese never leave rubbish behind them.
They respect the place.
They did not do it for the cameras.
Farooq said that he thought maybe one or two people would clean but all Japanese fans were cleaning all around the stadium.
“This is a thing I heard about but I never thought that it is this real. Wow,” Farooq said.
He said that the fans picked up the flags from the floor, put most of them on the chairs or they took them.
“All respect. Respect. Respect,” Farooq repeated.
Out of what appeared to be appreciation or gratitude, Farooq hugged some of the Japanese fans.
Japan will only play its first match on Wednesday afternoon against Germany.
Daily News