Iceland FA slams far-right racist Euro 2016 image

The word France shown in inverted commas.

The word France shown in inverted commas.

The Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ) has condemned the unauthorised use of a photograph of an Icelandic player on a race-related image published by a Danish far-right nationalist political party.

The image shows Iceland captain Aron Einar Gunnarsson with the Iceland team alongside a picture of several members of the French team, with the caption “Share if you think ‘France’ should be playing in the African Nations Cup”.

The image is a propaganda tool of the Party of the Danes, a far-right nationalist party which won less than 1% of votes in the 2013 municipal elections in Denmark.

MORE: Heartbreak as France smash Iceland out of Euro 2016

KSÍ has posted a statement on its website condemning the image, which openly suggests that the French team is somehow African and does not belong in Europe. Iceland was knocked out of Euro 2016 by France on Sunday.

Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann celebrating one of France's five …

Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann celebrating one of France's five goals against Iceland on Sunday. Photo: AFP

“Football is a force for unity,” reads the statement. “Fans of all nations and backgrounds unite. The common interest of a large chunk of the human race in the sport of football which we so love brings people together. We use sport to bring people together, not split them apart.”

“Among the joy and pride brought by the wonderful achievements of the Icelandic national team at Euro 2016, it is horrible to see abuses of the type perpetrated by the Party of the Danes.”

MORE: Fans look to bring British Euro 2016 stab victim to Iceland

“Forces of division have no place in the football movement, and football authorities in Europe have fought hard against racism in the sport. This battle is far from over and KSÍ is committed to taking part in combating racism with all its might”.

"Iceland gained the respect of the world during the Euro …

"Iceland gained the respect of the world during the Euro 2016 finals thanks to their positive conduct." Photo: AFP

“Iceland gained the respect of the world during the Euro 2016 finals thanks to their positive conduct and KSÍ completely dissociates itself from hate propaganda of this kind.”

The Party of the Danes posted the controversial image on their Facebook page on Monday, the day after France knocked Iceland out of Euro 2016, with a message asking people to submit their e-mail address “if you also do not believe that Europe and Denmark should be transformed into an African backyard”.

KSÍ has said that they will be requesting that the image be immediately taken down.

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