A Norway fan who went viral for refusing to join in with the team’s now-famous Viking Row celebration has explained why he will never join in – even if his nation wins the 2026 World Cup.

Norway’s Viking Row has been a highlight of this summer’s World Cup in the eyes of many football fans around the world.

Inspired by world-class striker Erling Haaland, Norway have reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Stale Solbakken’s side take on England at the Miami Stadium on Saturday night.

Viral Norway Fan Explains Viking Row Snub

Norway’s Viking Row will inevitably be performed again if they dump Thomas Tuchel’s side out of the tournament, but one supporter who won’t be joining in is Emil Lappen.

Lappen was spotted in the middle of the crowd for Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil with his hands down by his sides, while everyone else around him performed the Viking Row.

The Norwegian football fan has now explained his reasons, pointing out his major problem with it.

“I just find it really stupid… and annoying and I didn’t want to do it,” he told Sky.

He added: “When they released it, I found it really stupid and I wanted to show that I didn’t appreciate it.

“I think I got the message across.”

“The Vikings rowed up rivers and things like that but across the Atlantic, they sailed.”

Lappen is also unhappy that Norway have, in his eyes, effectively copied Iceland’s iconic ‘Thunder Clap’ routine made famous at the 2016 European Championship.

“Changing a motion is not enough to get it away from just being a copy of exactly what they did,” Lappen added.

“All they wanted was the same reaction from people and then they just changed the motion.”

Asked if he’ll change his mind if Norway win the World Cup, Lappen was emphatic with his response:

Lappen has made his stand and he’s sticking with it, even if Norway cause one of the biggest shocks in football history by winning the World Cup.

France are currently the red-hot favourites to win this summer’s showpiece International tournament, but these face a tricky semi-final against Spain.

Norway or England, meanwhile, will take on either Argentina or Switzerland in the other semi-final on Wednesday.

Arsenal appear to have taken on board Patrick Vieira’s high praise for France midfielder Manu Kone and set their sights on the World Cup star.

The Gunners are in the market for a new central midfielder and are pursuing Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes. Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Brazilian has agreed on personal terms and would love to play for Mikel Arteta.

The main stumbling block is the Magpies’ reluctance to sell Guimaraes after Sandro Tonali left St James’ Park for Tottenham Hotspur in a £100 million deal. That could complicate matters, and Arteta’s transfer chiefs are sounding out alternatives.

Arsenal In The Mix For France Star Manu Kone

via Reuters

A report from TEAMtalk claims that Arsenal are among the clubs that have held talks with intermediaries over a move for Kone. The Frenchman’s agents are sounding out potential destinations for the 25-year-old.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have also been spoken to, and it seems increasingly likely that he’ll be on the move. AS Roma are prepared to sell Kone to help ensure they meet UEFA’s financial regulations.

Roma view Kone as their most valuable asset and are demanding around £50 million for the player. He came into the World Cup after an injury-plagued season with the Italian outfit, who qualified for the UEFA Champions League, and has been labelled as ‘France’s best midfielder’ by Rio Ferdinand.

With Arteta clearly pushing for Guimaraes, the North Londoners may well be ensuring they have a Plan B in place should they fail to sign the Newcastle skipper. It seems unlikely that two new midfielders will arrive at the Emirates, although Christian Norgaard has reportedly been told he’s free to leave.

Patrick Vieira is a Huge Kone Fan

There isn’t anyone better for Arsenal to turn to for a verdict on signing Kone than club legend Vieira. The Frenchman became arguably the best midfielder in the Gunners’ history.

Vieira has applauded Kone throughout France’s World Cup campaign and believes he’s even better than Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni. He told ITV (via Metro): “He is for me, the best midfielder in France today. I would put him ahead of Aurelien Tchouameni and Adrien Rabiot because he has got this mobility to move around the pitch.”

He added: “He is aggressive, he is a ball winner and he has got this technical ability to be part of the build-up. He can break lines and play forward.”

Kone’s future has been the subject of speculation since the transfer window opened and a move to the Premier League is a possibility. He has Vieira’s backing amid a stellar showing at the World Cup.

Manchester United are reportedly among the clubs keeping an eye on Vinicius Junior’s situation at Real Madrid.

The Brazilian’s future at the Estadio Bernabeu is uncertain amid discussions between the player and the club over a new deal. His current contract expires next summer and negotiations have taken twists and turns.

Madrid don’t intend to allow Vinicius to head into the final year of his contract and have handed him an ultimatum. He either signs a new deal that fits within their wage structure, or he is put up for sale.

Man Utd In The Mix For Vinicius

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Vinicius is one of world football’s best attackers, thriving as one of Madrid’s main men at the Bernabeu. He has fired Los Blancos to UEFA Champions League glory and made record-breaking history since joining the La Liga giants in 2018.

Last season was a difficult one for the Brazilian, who endured a lengthy goal drought and incurred the wrath of supporters. He was largely blamed for Xabi Alonso’s dismissal in January and many question his character.

Vinicius ended the season well and as a result will be one of the most in-demand attackers on the market if he doesn’t pen a new deal.

A report from TEAMtalk claims that his potential availability has alerted United, who are thought to be keen on adding a new left-winger to Michael Carrick’s squad. A move to Old Trafford isn’t the only option if he makes a shock exit this summer.

There remains interest from the Saudi Pro League and they want to make him their next marquee signing. He’s been the subject of big-money offers from the Middle East in the past, and he could double his wages if he heads to Saudi.

Real are willing to increase his current £350,000-a-week salary to £400,000-a-week, although his representatives are seeking closer to £500,000-a-week.

Bayern Munich are also admirers and are reportedly monitoring the situation. They are one of only a few European clubs who can afford a deal for the Madrid star.

United would also face competition from Premier League rivals as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are all being kept in the loop. A potential transfer tug-of-war between the big six clubs could make for compelling viewing.

Man Utd Need To Sort Their Midfield First

When United headed into the summer transfer window, the priority was to overhaul Carrick’s midfield. Casemiro’s exit means the Red Devils will be without one of their most important players next season.

Strengthening other areas of the squad should be addressed after the midfield rebuild is sorted. As it stands, a £50m deal for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos is set to be confirmed while Ederson’s arrival from Atalanta is in limbo.

Vinicius, who broke a “mind-blowing” record, undoubtedly takes Carrick’s team to another level, but the money you’d have to fork out for him could go on two marquee midfielders. That’s not even taking into account how much money he’ll want to earn, as reports claim Madrid’s proposal is an improved £400,000-per-week basic salary.