Republic of Ireland fans awarded Medal of City of Paris

Republic of Ireland fans won plenty of praise for their behaviour at Euro 2016

Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland football fans are set to receive an award from the mayor of Paris for their "exemplary sportsmanship" during Euro 2016.

Anne Hidalgo has revealed she has written contacted both governments to inform them Irish fans will be given the Medal of the City of Paris.

"The supporters from Ireland and Northern Ireland have distinguished themselves by their exemplary attitude, fair play and good mood," Hidalgo said in a statement.

An official ceremony featuring fan groups from both teams will take place in the next few days.

Speaking to French sports newspaper L'Equipe, Hidalgo praised the Irish fans for the special atmosphere they created throughout the tournament.

Hidalgo said: "They had a very positive attitude, cheerful. They have been exemplary. We wanted to say thank you."

Republic of Ireland players salute their fans after their defeat to France

Irish supporters won the hearts of the French public during the tournament with videos of them doing things such as singing lullabies to a baby, serenading a delighted French woman, changing a stranger's car tyre and "cleaning up for the boys in green" going viral.

The medal - known as the Grand Vermeil - is regarded as Paris' most prestigious honour and has been awarded to a wide variety of cultural and political figures, with nine-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal also among past recipients.