A viral World Cup celebration, known as the 'Viking Row,' has drawn criticism from a Norwegian fan who deems it "stupid" and "factually wrong." The chant, which sees Norway's players and supporters mimic rowing in unison, has become an iconic moment of the tournament.
Emil Lappen, a Norwegian football fan, gained attention after television viewers noticed him remaining still while the rest of the crowd participated in the "Viking Row." He explained his refusal to Sky News, stating that the celebration inaccurately depicts Viking history. "The Vikings sailed across the Atlantic, they didn't row," Lappen said. "In a song that they released together with the rowing, they said 'We're gonna row across the Atlantic' and that's why I've been so annoyed about it. The Vikings rowed up rivers and things like that, but across the Atlantic they sailed."
The "Viking Row" involves Norway's players forming a tight formation and shouting "Ro!" while mimicking oarsmen, a gesture enthusiastically mirrored by their supporters.
While the chant has been embraced by many, including some Norwegian politicians, Lappen expressed his disapproval, particularly after the song's release. "You can say that but when they released it I found it stupid and I wanted to show that I didn't appreciate it, and I think I got the message across," he stated.
Lappen was captured on camera sitting impassively, a stark contrast to the jubilant fans around him. The "Viking Row" has drawn comparisons to Iceland's "thunder clap" celebration from the 2016 European Championship, which also achieved global recognition.
The celebration has also faced controversy for its potential association with the Viking era's history of raids and pillaging. The Norwegian team itself faced criticism after a photoshoot where they were dressed as Vikings, with some labeling the imagery as "chauvinistic" and "neo-Nazi" due to historical connotations of Viking raids, colonization, and violence.
