Why are soccer fans so associated with violence?

Soccer’s global appeal is unparalleled, but its history is marked by tragedy.

At a recent soccer match in Nzerekore, Guinea, a controversial refereeing decision sparked a mob riot that claimed more than 50 lives.

In 2022, 135 people were killed in a violent incident during a match at Kanjurhan Stadium in Indonesia. Security forces responded to the pitch invasion with tear gas, causing chaos and eventually crushing the crowd.

These incidents are a stark reminder of the risks associated with violence in spectator sports. They result from structural deficiencies, poor crowd management, and complex group dynamics that often lead to acts of violence.

Soccer spectators are particularly vulnerable to violence, raising pressing questions about what it is about soccer and its fan culture that makes it so prone to such incidents.

Soccer fan violence: A repeating pattern

Tragic incidents rooted in fan violence are inextricably intertwined with the history of the sport.

Perhaps the most extreme case was the 1969 Soccer War (commonly known as the Football War), in which the World Cup qualifier between El Salvador and Honduras inflamed existing political tensions. Clashes between fans further escalated the hostility, and within days the two countries were at war. More than 2,000 people were killed in the short conflict.

There are other cases in the history of gaming, such as:

Estadio Nacional Disaster (Peru, 1964)—A goal is canceled and riots break out during a match between Peru and Argentina in Lima. Police used tear gas and chaos ensued as fans tried to flee through locked exits. More than 300 people died.

Heysel Stadium Disaster (1985, Belgium)—Liverpool and Juventus fans clash before the European Cup final, causing a wall to collapse. 39 people were killed and over 600 injured.

Port Said Stadium Riots (2012, Egypt)—Fans attack each other with weapons while exits are blocked after the match between Al Masri and Al Ahly. 74 people were killed and hundreds injured.

The most notable incident in Australia was the chaotic 2022 Melbourne derby when fans stormed the pitch at AAMI Park after smoke bombs were thrown into the stands. Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover was hit with a metal bucket, leaving him concussed and bleeding.

Further back in 1985, a National Soccer League match between Sydney Olympic and Sydney Hakoah was thrown into chaos due to a controversial refereeing call. The chaos remains one of the most infamous examples of football spectator violence in Australian history.

Soccer fan violence takes many forms.

Soccer’s immense popularity means that fan bases are larger and more diverse, and rivalries run deeper.

Fans often view their team as a core part of their identity, and this strong sense of group belonging can heighten “in-group versus out-group” dynamics. In some cases, this can lead to hostility.

And it’s not just violence between fans. Soccer fan violence takes many forms. Violent and anti-social behavior ranges from abusive language and offensive chants to property damage, vandalism, pitch invasion and physical assault.

In some countries, soccer fan violence has worsened since the pandemic.

In the UK, recent police statistics revealed a 59% increase in arrests compared to pre-pandemic levels and violent incidents reaching an eight-year high. Notably, 70% of crimes were committed by people between the ages of 18 and 30.

Players may also be affected. The International Federation of Professional Football Players’ 2023 Workplace Safety Report highlighted the escalating problem of violence against professional players and highlighted the negative impact on their physical and mental health.

The report reveals that a significant number of players experience abuse on and off the field, including intimidation and physical assault. Data shows that violence against players by fans is highest in Europe (particularly England, Italy and Germany), followed by Africa.

What’s behind this trend?

1. Social identity

Soccer fan violence is often deeply tied to social identity dynamics.

Studies from Germany and Brazil highlight the role of identity fusion, where fans experience strong bonds with their team and fellow supporters.

This fusion creates a “warrior mentality,” where threats to the group feel personal to the point where fans actively try to protect their identity.

High-stakes rivalry games exacerbate this. Violence spikes by up to 70% during German derby matches. These studies show that game-day violence is driven more by rivalries and group dynamics than by the outcome of the game.

In Brazil, the conflation of the same identity has been shown to generate hostility, especially towards rival fan groups, as fans perceive out-group threats as existential.

2. Sociodemographic characteristics

Research shows that “fanatic” supporters (often young, unemployed, and with low levels of education) are more likely to engage in violence, and that violence is shaped by group norms and acceptable levels of aggression. It highlights what will happen.

Research in the UK reveals historic changes. Hooliganism once flourished in working-class and hyper-masculine cultures, but while better crowd management and gentrification have reduced violence inside stadiums, conflicts continue to occur away from arenas. It is occurring.

3. Drug and alcohol use

Drug use can increase aggression.

In the UK, cocaine use among fans is higher than the national average.

The combination of football’s growing fan drug culture and identity fusion can lead to aggressive behavior, particularly during intergroup conflicts.

Although alcohol is not a universal cause, it can also fuel conflict by lowering inhibitions and increasing territoriality.

What can you do?

Despite this pattern, some regions have seen significant improvements.

In Britain, decades of reforms, including CCTV, all-seat stadiums and soaring ticket prices, have fostered a more “sanitized and gentrified” fan culture, where fans themselves often regulate acts of violence.

But such measures can also shift violence to less visible locations, where rival groups can orchestrate confrontations to avoid police detection.

Reducing soccer-related violence requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both structural and psychological factors. There is evidence that it is important to create positive group dynamics rather than simply suppressing fan identity.

Further strategies include:

Efforts to reframe rivalries as positive, mutually beneficial better policing tactics that use dialogue and de-escalation, rather than forced improvements in crowd flow management and reduction of friction points (rival fans at the time of ejection) drug use interventions, specifically targeting drug use (e.g. minimizing reflux of drugs).

The challenge, however, is to implement these solutions while preserving the unique passion and energy that makes soccer one of the world’s most beloved sports.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.