6.4 - Violence in Sport

Question 1

Define Violence in sport?

Answer 1

Physical acts committed to harm others in sports.

Question 2

What’s the memory tool for causes of player violence and define it?

Answer 2

WINNER

W - Win ethic and high rewards for success
I - Importance of the event (local derby/cup final)
N - Nature of the sport
N - NGBs are too lenient with their punishments
E - Excitement/over arousal
R - Refereeing decisions leading to frustration

Question 3

Name strategies to prevent violence in sport?

Answer 3

• Supporting the decision of match officials when dealing with violence by performers by using TMO/video replays to check decisions being made to calm down match/aggressive behaviour.
• Punishing violence by performers missed by officials after match by using video evidence.
• Promoting performers with good disciplinary records as positive role models in their sport.
• Imposing harsh punishments for violent acts on the field of play (bans, fines etc).
• Introducing education campaigns and/or awards linked to fair play.

Question 4

Define Hooliganism?

Answer 4

Acts of vandalism and violence in public places committed especially by youths.
- Football hooliganism is unruly, violent and destructive behaviour by over-zealous supporters of association football clubs.

Question 5

Name the causes and reasons for football hooliganism?

Answer 5

• Emotional intensity and the ritual importance of the event (e.g local derby, team loyalty etc)
• Too much alcohol and the ‘highs’ caused by drug taking
• Pre match media hype stirring up tensions between rival fans
• Poor policing, stewarding and crowd control (ie hillsborough disaster)
• Lack of effective deterrents and punishments to deter individuals from involving themselves in violence at football matches
• Diminished responsibility by individuals in a large group (peer pressure to get involved)
• Reaction of working class who perceive the middle class to be taking over their game
• Poor officiating or frustration with match officials heightens tension
• Violence by players on the pitch is reflected in the crowd
• A negative violent reaction may result in chants and taunts by rival fans
• Frustration through your team losing
• Violence is sometimes used by young males to display their masculinity caused by an adrenaline rush

Question 6

What are the possible solutions to try and combat football hooliganism?

Answer 6

• Ban or control of alcohol sales (e.g ban pubs where known trouble makers gather)
• Increased use of police intelligence and improved liaisons between forces across the country to gather information on known or potential hooligans
• Imposing tougher deterrents like bans, high fines, imprisonment, ban individuals from travelling abroad etc.
• Using CCTV around stadiums to identify offenders
• Removal of terraces, building of ‘all seater’ stadiums
• Segregate fans to create a ‘more civilised atmosphere’
• Encouraging responsible media reporting prior to matches, decreasing the hype and potential tensions between rival fans
• Playing games at kick-off times imposed by police (early kick offs to try and prevent high levels of alcohol consumption)
• Passing specific laws preventing ‘trespassing’ onto the pitch to try to stop pitch invasions and potential clashes between rival fans in the grounds.