violence in sport

Question 1

causes of performer violence

Answer 1

• Win ethic - Lombardian ethic
• Importance of a result (local derby)
• Emotional intensity
• Pre-match media hype
• This can over psych a performer and lead to aggression
• E.G wigan prop Ben Flower was sent off after a vicious attack on St Helens player just 2 minute into the grand final 2014
• Frustration with decisions made by match officials creates a sense of injustice and increase frustration
• Abuse from opponents and/or crowd
• E.G Eric Cantona kicked a crystal palace fan who was sat in the front row of the crowd (£20,00 fine and 9 month ban)
• Patrice Evra was sacked by his club for kicking a fan

Question 2

some sports are more violent

Answer 2

• Some sports are more violent than others as aggression and high levels of physical contact are part of the game
• E.G american football, rugby and ice hockey
• Lack of deterrents and relatively low-level punishments from NGB’s and clubs
• Ice hockey/box lacrosse
• “Similar to fighting in ice hockey, fighting is tolerated. Professional players are not automatically subject to ejection, but have a 5 min penalty. In youth or club level it is penalised”

Question 3

causes for performer violence - WINNER

Answer 3

• W - win ethic and high rewards
• I - importance of the event
• N - nature of the sport
• N - NGB’s are too lenient with punishments
• E - excitement/over arousal
• R - refereeing decisions leading to frustration

Question 4

strats to prevent performer violence

Answer 4

• More officials - Goal line officials
• Technology - Fourth official (TMO , VAR)
• Tougher sanctions by sporting authorities/NGB’s and change in the law
• Imposing harsh punishments for violent actions on the field of play - Longer bans/higher fines
• Deduction of points from clubs
• Prison sentences - Duncan Ferguson received a 3 months prison sentence for head butting opposition player in 1994

Question 5

NGB preventing player violence

Answer 5

• NGB’s are keen to present a positive image ro fans as well as sponsors , they can;
• Support decision of match officials
• Use of post-match video evidence where individuals have been cited (e.g rugby league ‘on report’ system)
• Promoting performers with good disciplinary records as positive role models in their sport (Gary linekar never getting a yellow card)
• Imposing harsh punishments for violent actions on the field of play
• Introducing education campaigns and linked to fair play awards

Question 6

spectator violence - hooliganism

Answer 6

• Spectair violence has been evident over the years
• Hooliganism - acts of vandalism and violence in public places committed especially by youths
• Football hooliganism - unruly, violent and destructive behaviour by over-enthusiastic supporters of association football clubs

Question 7

causes of spectator violence

Answer 7

• Emotional intensity
• E.G local derby
• Too much alcohol/drugs
• Pre-match media hype
• Poor policing, stewarding and crowd control
• E.G hillsborough stadium disaster in 1989
• Lack of effective deterrents and punishments to deter individuals
• Diminished responsibility by individuals in large groups and peer pressure
• Reaction of working class who perceive the middle class to be taking over ‘their game’
• Poor officials or frustration over match officials
• Violence by players on the pitch is reflected in the crowd
• Religious discord
• E.G Celtic vs Rangers
• Chants and taunts by rival fans
• Frustration at result
• Displaying masculinity

Question 8

solutions to spectator violence

Answer 8

• Ban or control alcohol sales - E.G time of kick off
• Liaison between forces across the country to gather information on known hooligans
• Impose tougher deterrents like bans from matches, higher fines , prosecution
• E.G Heysel stadium tragedy - 39 fans died as a result of violent fighting
• Using CCTV
• Removal of terraces , creating family zones
• Encouraging responsible media coverage
• Changing kick off times
• Laws to prevent trespass on the pitch

Question 9

implications to spectator violence

Answer 9

• Some implications of spectator violence has led to a number of negative impacts on ‘law abiding citizens’
• Parents no longer want their children to participate in certain activities due to the level of violence
• Not being able to watch the team they support, as whole fan groups could be banned from watching fixtures
• Some clubs have been banned from entering competitions due to negative behaviour (liverpool were banned due to hooliganism in the european cup for 6 years)
• Increased cost for the club for security and policing
• Negative reflection of a nation