13.4 Violence In Sport

Question 1

What causes of player violence are there?

(WINNER)

Answer 1

• Win ethic & high rewards for success
• Importance of the event
• Nature of the sport
• National governing bodies are lenient with their punishments
• Excitement/ over- arousal
• Refereeing decisions leading to frustration

Question 2

What strategies are there for preventing violence within sport in relation to the performer?

Answer 2

-Frustration caused by poor officiating
Could be reduced in several ways: More officials- e.g. they trialled this in Europa League- 2 additional officials were on the goal line
-- Video technology can be used as a fourth official to help come to a correct decision
- This can reduce player frustration- decisions is taken out of referee’s hands
- Given to individual in the stand using technology
-Sanctions
- If a lack of punishment of effective deterrents are a cause of violence, then NGBs and the law need to apply tougher sanctions
These sanctions could include:
- Longer bans
- Higher fines
- Deduction of points

Question 3

What are some attempts NGBS have used to prevent player violence?

Answer 3

• Support decisions by match officials- using TMO/Video replays to check decisions
• Change/ clarify rules on violent acts e.g. high tackles
• Train official to be able to diffuse or clam down situations, which could develop further
• Punishing violent behaviour post-match that could have been missed

Question 4

Define ‘hooliganism’

Answer 4

Unruly, destructive and violent behaviour of spectators

Question 5

What reasons are there for hooliganism?

Answer 5

• Emotional intensity e.g. local derby
• Team loyalty to extreme levels
• Too much alcohol/’highs” from drugs
• Pre match media hype- stirring up rival fans
• Poor policing, stewards & crowd control (Hillsborough disaster 1989)
• Lack of deterrents/ punishments to deter individuals
• Gang/peer pressure
• Reaction of ‘working class’s feeling that the middle class are taking over “their game”
• Poor officiating & frustration by decisions- more tension
• Violence by players on the pitch- reflected in crowd
• Religious reasons e.g. Celtic vs rangers- catholic vs protestant
• Chants & taunts by fans
• Frustration at own teams’ performance
• Too much adrenaline
• Associated with young males trying to show their masculinity

Question 6

What possible solutions are there to try to combat football hooliganism?

Answer 6

• Ban/ control sales of alcohol- ban pubs where troublemakers gather
• Increased police intelligence or improve liaison throughout the country to get information on known hooligans
• Tougher deterrents e.g. ban from matches, higher fines or imprisonment
• Use of CCTV around stadiums- identify & arrest individuals for behaviour.
• Removal or terraces, building all- seater stadiums, segregation of fans, family zones to create a nicer atmosphere
• Encouraging responsible media reporting- decreasing hype/tensions between fans
• Kick off times made earlier to avoid alcohol consumption
• Passing specific laws preventing ‘trespass’ onto the pitch, to try & stop invasion of fans

Question 7

What impact does hooligansim have on clubs?

Answer 7

• Hooliganism had negative implications for clubs.
• Increasing cost of security
• Policing before, during and after matches
• Particularly the case for clubs in lower leagues as money is tighter