NCJ Number
204440
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 26 Issue: 4 Dated: 2003 Pages: 640-655
Date Published
2003
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the nature of police stereotypes and expectations of English soccer fans and their potential influence in shaping the intergroup dynamics of "hooliganism" by such fans during the European championships in Belgium and Holland (Euro 2000).
Abstract
The survey of 70 rank-and-file Belgian Gendarmerie officers yielded 36 completed questionnaires. The questionnaire asked officers to rate each national fan group on a six-point bipolar stereotype measure. The dimensions measured were volatile versus calm, intelligent versus unintelligent, foolish versus wise, irresponsible versus responsible, likeable versus unlikable, homogeneous versus heterogeneous, respectable versus not respectable, dangerous versus safe, independent versus easily influenced, and aggressive versus peaceful. The majority of the national groups were not viewed by the officers as posing any major threat to public order; however, the fan groups of Turkey, Germany, and England scored above the mid-point of the scale, with England's fans perceived to pose the highest threat level. The mean scores suggest that the officers expected approximately two-thirds of English fans to be violent during the tournament; approximately half of all English fans were expected by the officers to be "hooligans," i.e., disposed to and intending to engage in aggressive behavior. Officer appraisals of the behavior anticipated for each match indicated that the game between Germany and England was expected to pose the highest risk level for violence. The evidence indicates that when arriving en masse for this match, the normative behaviors of English fans may well have been interpreted by the Gendarmerie as behavior that posed a relatively high and uniform potential for widespread disorder. Suggestions are offered for further research. 4 tables, 12 notes, and 23 references