Racism in Football

England has had more instances of football hooliganism than any other country in the world. The problem has also been associated with this country for the longest period of time too (www.footballnetwork.org). Hooliganism has been referred to as the English disease. Hooliganism is still prevalent at national and international levels of the game and some football hooligans are involved in serious criminal activity such as drug dealing (www.ncis.co.uk). During the nineteen seventies and eighties football hooliganism was at its peak in England. It was during this period that firms came to the public attention, firms such as the Chelsea headhunters, Manchester city’s Guvnors and Burnley’s suicide squad to name but a few. It was common for members of football club firms to carry weapons, of which the Stanley knife was a favourite as it was small and easily concealed but could be lethal. Other weapons that have been found on hooligans when they have been arrested are baseball bats, knives, pepper spray and even a chainsaw to name only some. The hooliganism phenomenon is probably the most researched area within football. Many explanations have been given to the causes and also the consequences of football hooliganism. In this essay hooliganism is defined as violent behaviour that can lead to actual violence breaking out or not, vandalism or pitch invasions. This essay is first of all going to examine some of the main causes of football hooliganism. Secondly the essay will then examine some of the main consequences of hooliganism and finally a conclusion will be made.

Moving on now to identify some of the main causes of football hooliganism. Aggression has been stated to be a cause of hooliganism, and has also been associated with groups of men (Canter, D, Comber, M, Uzzell, D, L pg 111 1989). Football as it involves large groups of men seems to be an ideal place for this aggression to be displayed. Aggression by groups of men can be manifested in various ways, one of which can be called aggro. This can be defined as a non-violent ritualised display of violence (Canter, D, Comber, M, Uzzell, D, L pg 110, 1989). These displays can involve use of aggressive language and swearing at opposing fans, carrying weapons and rushing at opposing fans without actually coming into contact with them. Young men are often considered to be particularly aggressive because of their need for self-validation (Canter, D, Comber, M, Uzzell, D, L pg 111, 1989). Also aggression plays an important role in a young mans esteem as they try to project an image of toughness or hardness by doing such things as fighting thus showing their bravery and hardness Canter, D, Comber, M, Uzzell, D, L, pg 115, 1989).