The Ayatollah is a football celebration used by fans of Welsh football club Cardiff City.[1][2] Performing the action is always preceded by a chant of "do the Ayatollah".
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Action
Performing the Ayatollah is done by having both hands flat pointing towards each other raised above your head and repeatedley moving them up and down in a patting motion.[3]
Origins
The Ayatollah celebration came into use at Cardiff games in 1989 when a Cardiff City fan saw attendants at the funeral of Ayatollah Khomeini, which was broadcast live on British tv, doing the movement to express their grief at his death.[4] When the unknown supporter travelled to the next Cardiff home game he encouraged his friends and those around him to copy the act and "Do the Ayatollah". It was initally used as a sign of despair at the way the team were playing, Cardiff at the time were struggling in the lower leagues, but it quickly became very popular with fans of the club and has since been used in terms of celebration and support for the team. The start of the Ayatollah has often mistakenly been credited to former chairman Sam Hammam.[5]
Use
The Ayatollah is now performed by the supporters of Cardiff City at every match. They, in turn, sing for each stand at their home ground Ninian Park to "Do the Ayatollah". During matches players performing well in the game or players who have just been brought on during the match are called to "Do the Ayatollah"[6]. Other people in the ground are also often called on to perform the move including the team's manager, away fans, former players on opposing sides (although managers of the teams have strongly discouraged it so it is rarely performed) and police officers on duty at the match. Doing the Ayatollah has also become popular for famous Cardiff fans to do when celebrating. Ex-Wales rugby team captain Gareth Thomas often performs the Ayatollah after scoring a try[7][8], swimmer David Davies peformed the Ayatollah on the podium while recieving his medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and cricketer Simon Jones also used the celebration after taking the wicket of Simon Katich during the 2005 Ashes series[9]. Former Cardiff players and footballers who are fans of Cardiff have often performed the Ayatollah at the home grounds of the Bluebirds bitter rivals Swansea City. Ipswich Town midfielder Gavin Williams, a lifelong Cardiff fan, performed it at Vetch Field after scoring against them for his former club Yeovil Town[10] and former Cardiff player Christian Roberts performed the Ayatollah when he scored against them at the Liberty Stadium after being verbally abused throughout the match for being a former Cardiff player.[11] Nottingham Forest winger Arron Davies stated that he would love to become the first player to "do the Ayatollah" at Wembley Stadium had he and his team at the time, Yeovil Town, reached the Football League One play-off final.[12]
References
- ^ "Cardiff City" Football songs & chants Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Cardiff fans to cheer in Welsh" BBC Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Fowler signs for City: Image gallery icWales.co.uk Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Buchanan's head on Aussie chopping block" The Daily Telegraph Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Wales and doing the Ayatollah" Warwick blogs Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Fowler do the Ayatollah" YouTube.com Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Thomas turns gamekeeper" BBC Sport Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Ric's rap for Gareth" Sunday Mirror Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Ayatollah - Shia" Religioninsight.com Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "The Vetch verdict from Glen Donnachie" BBC Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
- ^ "Roberts unrepentant over "Ayatollah"" Western Mail Retrieved on 3 January, 2008,
- ^ "Davies hopes Wembley will see Ayatollah" South Wales Echo Retrieved on 3 January, 2008
