World News: French Stadium Fan Violence Erupts Again

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Category: World News - Europe

Published on Tuesday, 23 November 2021 18:38

Written by Olivier Longhi

The outbreak of violence that plagues the stands of football stadiums during Ligue 1 championship matches paralyzes clubs and governing bodies. But after the observation of a deterioration of the atmosphere of the meetings, the reasons for such incidents arise.

In a few weeks, or even months, the most brilliant sociologists and psychologists will have analyzed the reasons that are supposed to explain the outbreak of violence that plagues football stadiums and more particularly the pre-sessional matches of the Ligue 1 championship. 

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Thus, the latest events, namely those that led to the definitive interruption of the match between Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais on 21 November, extend an already long series of incidents against players, regardless of the club for which they play.

Beyond this reality, which also raises questions about safety in stadiums for the players but also for the spectators who came peacefully to attend a sporting event, it is above all necessary to stop, before the sociologists, on the reasons that bring this type of supporters, who have only the name, and the reasons that push them to such violence.

Social Jealousy and Financial Flow

Some, and justified, would speak of stupidity. Certainly, but the term is too generic to serve as a single explanation. Social jealousy experienced against professional athletes paid in proportions and volumes that these same supporters could not imagine, even hope to perceive in their existence? Hatred of the opposing team and the players who compose it? Form of identitarianism embodied in the team they support?

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The explanations multiply without any of them being clearly imposed to the point of forming a set of reasons in which each one quarrels. However, the question now arises of security in sports venues which, it must be noted, are frequented by individuals who have absolutely no place there.

Because this avalanche of violence, which smears football as much as it acts as a repellent to a sport already criticized for the financial flows it generates, reinforces the idea that contemporary football wants to be consubstantial with agitations and clashes.

And it would be difficult to dispute this reality in the light of the latest attacks that have occurred in recent weeks. So, what to do? Prohibit access to the stadium to certain individuals? The solution is only punctual because they will be replaced by others.

Reduce financial flows in professional sport and football in particular in order to put the stakes into perspective? But defenders of professionalism would answer that football has now become a part of the global economy via the commercialized notoriety of clubs to the international audience.

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Intellectual Weakness and Tasteless Lives

On the other hand, it is to be feared that this violence is only a reflection of that which has prevailed in the Western world for several decades and which is being increased tenfold for many reasons. The intellectual weakness of some supporters who see professional football as an outlet, a factor of social recognition and financial affluence can, with caution, be advanced as a first field of explanation.

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Thus, unable in their own lives, transparent and tasteless, to attract the attention devolved to professional athletes, here football, these same supporters express their bitterness and frustration by a gratuitous, easy violence and lived as pride. However, several ways exist to try to combat this scourge.

Education appears to be the first bulwark, allowing the individual to take all the necessary step back from the sporting and economic reality that professional football encompasses. However, if education is a bulwark, it will however be able to do nothing against the stupidity and ignorance of some real supporters who are warts to any sporting practice.

Bio: Olivier Longhi has extensive experience in European history. A seasoned journalist with fifteen years of experience, he is currently professor of history and geography in the Toulouse region of France. He has held a variety of publishing positions, including Head of Agency and Chief of Publishing. A journalist, recognized blogger, editor, and editorial project manager, he has trained and managed editorial teams, worked as a journalist for various local radio stations, a press and publishing consultant, and a communications consultant.