Euro 2016: Irish fans try to turn Eiffel Tower green, white and orange

#IRL twitter campaign takes off: Paris mayor says monument will honour Orlando victims

Republic of Ireland fans in Paris. Photograph:  James Crombie/INPHO
Republic of Ireland fans in Paris. Photograph: James Crombie/INPHO

Fancy seeing the Irish colours shining down on the French capital this evening?

Irish fans are being encouraged to tweet #IRL ahead of this afternoon's match against Sweden in an attempt to turn the Eiffel Tower green, white and orange tonight.

Uefa posted on its site last week that fans would have a say in "a unique spectacle" at Euro 2016 with the iconic Parisian landmark lighting up in the colours of the most-supported team on social media every day.

“Fancy seeing the Eiffel Tower lit up in the colours of your team at Uefa Euro 2016?,” asked Uefa on its site. “Thanks to tournament sponsors Orange and the City of Paris, the iconic monument will be playing a full role in the finals – with supporters having the chance to take part in a spectacular lightshow ten minutes after the last match every day.”

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Fans are advised to tweet using the hashtag for their favourite team playing that day before 21.30pm. A selection of the best fan messages will also be broadcast on the Eiffel Tower.

The FAI tweeted early on Monday morning calling on all supporters to use #IRL on social media to ensure “the Eiffel Tower turns green tonight”.

However, attempts to turn the tower into the tricolour may not come to fruition after Paris City hall announced the landmark would be lit up in rainbow colours on Monday night following the Orlando shootings in which 50 people died.

Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo tweeted on Monday morning: "Paris stands with Orlando". She then wrote in French that the Eiffel Tower would be lit up in the LGBT colours on Monday night to pay homage to the victims of the shootings, signing off the tweet with #lovewins.

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter specialising in immigration issues and cohost of the In the News podcast