The Stream

What’s behind the violence in sports matches?

Recent riots and clashes have left many fans injured.

Face paint, costumes and loud chants are all common at major sporting events, as passionate fans express support for their teams. However, what is it that turns these scenes into ones of aggression?

On Feb 20, basketball fans in Serbia clashed leaving several injured. Earlier this month, at least 74 people were killed and more than 1,000 people injured during a football match in Egypt.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak to Ben Carrington, sociology professor at University of Texas, Austin; Sean Gregory, sports writer for Time magazine; and Piara Powar, executive director at FARE Network.

What do you think? Do sports events create an environment more prone to violence? Send us your thoughts and comments on Facebook or Twitter using hashtag #AJStream.

Here are some highlights of the conversation online: