Wales Vs Russia Euro 2016: Fans Defy UEFA With #WALRUS Match Hashtag

But hundreds are rallying against the diktat.

UEFA today managed to crush the excitement of hundreds of football fans by spoiling the fun of those taking advantage of Wales playing Russia at the Euros.

Many people were enjoying mocking the trending '#WALRUS', given that commentary on Twitter on most football games takes the two three-character initials of the teams playing.

Everyone was having so much fun:

I don't think enough has been made of the fact one of tonight's hashtags is #WALRUS.

— Jim Knight (@JimKnight88) June 20, 2016

Honestly #WALRUS is the best hashtag of #Euro2016 thus far... pic.twitter.com/DIfatR90aE

— Jabberwocky (@Jabberwocky_7) June 20, 2016

GOAL FOR WALES. GOAL FOR #WALRUS pic.twitter.com/m0MUpm3bdU

— innocent drinks (@innocent) June 20, 2016

Given the excitement about the #WALRUS hashtag, we should make sure that in the next World Cup Qualifiers, Armenia plays Pitcairn.

— Channel 4 (@Channel4) June 20, 2016

Fun, that is, until UEFA decided to wade in and remind everyone that technically the official hashtag was #RUSWAL.

The customary composition of the hashtag means that the home team, in this instance Russia, takes the first part of the hashtag.

Attempting to use a light-hearted joke to issue the social media diktat, UEFA told fans the official hashtag was sadly "not the funny one".

With Russia as the home team v Wales, the official # for this game is #RUSWAL ... Not the funny one 😉 pic.twitter.com/wfo75Oepws

— UEFA EURO 2016 (@UEFAEURO) June 20, 2016

Leaving hundreds of fans crestfallen.

Biggest disappointment of EURO 2016 so far: Russia is the first team listed in today's game vs Wales, depriving us of the hashtag #WALRUS.

— Paul Carr (@PCarrESPN) June 20, 2016

You can't take away best hashtag of the tournament. Come on team Internet ! #WALRUS https://t.co/VFlFEEIrFl

— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) June 20, 2016

Most disappointing thing about the #EURO2016 so far is that the Russia - Wales game hashtag is not #WALRUS

— Poorly Drawn Arsenal (@cantdrawarsenal) June 20, 2016

But some chose to fight back and flout the plea by UEFA.

That included the BBC's official 'Match of the Day' account, which leads the corporation's football coverage.

We know the official hashtag is #RUSWAL but we are using #WALRUS tonight... With us? https://t.co/dGOstCEt5M pic.twitter.com/rR25nwAlqP

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 20, 2016

ok everyone stop using #RUSWAL and start using #WALRUS https://t.co/RhK9TbVf7K

— Elena Cresci (@elenacresci) June 20, 2016

WE WILL USE #WALRUS ANYWAYhttps://t.co/LouL0XzYvP

— Fabulous Panda Steve (@ikralla) June 20, 2016

It comes as Wales lead 2-0 at half-time in the clash against Russia to determine whether they will land a place in the top two of the European Championships 'Group B'.

Earlier in the day, British police chiefs said they were hopeful the “impeccable” behaviour of England and Wales fans during last week’s match would continue throughout and after the game tonight.

Security was boosted ahead of the clash following violent scenes in Marseille and Lille, as UK investigators work to identify Russian hooligans who attacked England fans, as well as English troublemakers.

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