Football hooliganism

Football hooliganism, often called football rioting, is a form of violence caused by spectators at association football matches. This behavior involves destructive actions perpetrated by fans, often organized into groups known as pseudo-tribes. These groups form to intimidate or attack supporters of opposing teams. Conflict can erupt at various times, including before, during, or after a match. Sometimes, the violence occurs even outside of match situations. Hooligans frequently choose locations away from the stadium to avoid being arrested by the police. However, disorder can also happen spontaneously in the streets or inside the stadium itself.

There are specific ways that hooliganism manifests through different types of disorder. Some fans engage in physical fighting using unarmed or armed methods. Others may start fires or use hateful speech to target others. In extreme cases, hooligans target the players themselves. They might throw objects like bottles or bananas to cause physical harm or to carry out racial attacks. For example, in 2014, a fan threw a banana at Barcelona player Dani Alves to use a racial stereotype. Violence can also be a reaction to a player's performance on the field. In 1994, Colombian defender Andres Escobar was murdered following an error during the World Cup.

It is important to distinguish hooliganism from other organized fan groups. In many parts of the world, supporters form groups known as Ultras, Barra Bravas, or Torcidas Organizadas. The primary objective of these groups is to support their club through chants, flags, and large displays called tifos. They aim to create a fanatic atmosphere for their team. While these groups are very dedicated, they do not necessarily have the explicit goal of causing violence. However, because of their intense fanaticism, they can sometimes become involved in hooliganism.

Modern football hooliganism has a long history that began in the 1880s in England. During this era, gangs of supporters would intimidate entire neighborhoods. They also attacked referees, players, and opposing fans. In 1885, after a match between Preston North End and Aston Villa, fans attacked both teams with stones and sticks. One player was even knocked unconscious by the violence. The following year, fans fought at a railway station, marking the first recorded instance of hooliganism occurring away from a match.

By the 1960s, England was reporting an average of 25 hooligan incidents every year.

Several complex factors contribute to the rise of football violence. One cause is local patriotism, where fans feel a deep tie to their specific area or club. This sense of identity can be amplified during national tournaments, such as the UEFA Euro 2016. Other drivers include political, religious, or ethnic divisions. In Croatia, riots have been linked to politics following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, some hooligans follow extremist or fascist ideologies. Researchers at Liverpool Hope University suggest that involvement in violence relates to issues of identity, power, and legitimacy.

Research has shown how much football-related disorder can impact society. A study from LMU Munich analyzed violent crime in Germany between 2011 and 2015. It discovered that violent crime increases by 17% on the day of a football match. During major rivalry games, the increase in violent crime rises to 63%. In Brazil, scholars studied over 1,300 incidents to understand the causes of violence. While they found that alcohol was not a major factor, they noted that competitiveness and high pride levels were significant drivers of violence.

To combat this issue, clubs and governments have implemented various anti-hooligan measures. Hooliganism reached its highest rates in the mid-1990s, but violence has since decreased significantly. Many stadiums now use plastic bottles to prevent fans from throwing heavy objects. Some venues also restrict where fans can consume alcohol to maintain order. During major tournaments, officials may even recommend a total ban on alcohol. If riots become uncontrollable, police use tools like water cannons and tear gas for crowd control. These efforts aim to ensure that football remains a safe environment for all spectators.