NCJ Number
130901
Date Published
1988
Length
83 pages
Annotation
This Greek study, conducted in Athens and Thessaloniki from January 1986 to December 1987, used a multifaceted approach to examine the phenomenology and the etiology of spectator violence at Greek sports stadiums.
Abstract
The study focused primarily on the behavior and characteristics of the extremist sports fans usually referred to as "hooligans." A total of 319 "hooligans" agreed to interviews and responded to a questionnaire. Questionnaires were also completed by samples of football players, police officers on duty at sports stadiums, referees, and sports editors. Participant observation was also conducted, and cases of sports violence were reviewed. Hooligans were generally found to be juveniles with unstable employment, broken homes, poor school achievement, and patterns of aggressive behavior. The study concludes that sports violence stems from hooligans' inordinate attachment to the fortunes of a sports team. Such attachment is deemed to derive from low self-esteem, low achievement in their personal lives, and alienation from normative social groups. Some preventive measures suggested are the awarding of a trophy to the team with the highest marks in sportsmanship to encourage more sportsmanlike play, sports meetings where youth and players can discuss sports events and fan and player behavior, and sports education in the schools.