Scientists have revealed why football fans often become violent

Football is the world's most popular sport, but its history is often marred by tragedies due to violence among fans.

One example is the recent incident in Nzérékoré, Guinea, where conflict erupted after a controversial referee's decision, killing more than 50 people. In 2022, 135 people were killed when tear gas was used to disperse fans at a stadium in Kanjuruhan, Indonesia.

Such events are often linked to poor organisation, poor crowd management and group conflict. But why is it that violence among football fans is particularly common?

The Conversation answers

Firstly, football has a huge audience, often divided into rival groups. Fans often see their team as part of their personal identity and opponents as a threat.

This "us versus them" attitude generates strong emotional involvement. In extreme cases, it can escalate into aggression. A historical example is the 1969 "Football War" between El Salvador and Honduras, where political tensions escalated over matches and this escalated into a real armed conflict.

Violence manifests itself in a variety of ways, from abusive shouting and property damage to riots and physical attacks. Some studies show that fans, most often young people with limited employment and educational opportunities, are more prone to this behaviour. Alcohol and drug use can also increase aggressive attitudes.

Social factors also influence tensions. In some countries, stadium riots have increased in the aftermath of the pandemic. In the UK, for example, arrests for disorderly behaviour at football matches have risen by 59% compared to the pre-pandemic period.

What can be done? Progress has already been made in some places. In England, thanks to improved security - cameras, separate seating, stricter rules - the number of incidents inside stadiums has fallen. But that doesn't solve the problem completely, as violence can move outside arenas.

Experts suggest comprehensive measures, from better control of access to stadiums and sensible policing to programmes that help fans see rivalries as an opportunity for healthy sporting interaction rather than a reason to fight.