Sources of identity and community among highly identified football fans in Germany. An empirical categorisation of differentiation processes

'Differentiation' is identified as a key category, and an empirical system of differentiation is developed. The key category is divided into two subcategories, which are further dimensionalized. The analysis finds that highly identified fans differentiate themselves from other fans (both f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSoccer and society Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 216 - 231
Main Authors Winands, Martin, Grau, Andreas, Zick, Andreas
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Taylor & Francis LLC 17.02.2019
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Summary:'Differentiation' is identified as a key category, and an empirical system of differentiation is developed. The key category is divided into two subcategories, which are further dimensionalized. The analysis finds that highly identified fans differentiate themselves from other fans (both from their own club and from rival clubs) and strive for positive distinction. Violent acts as extreme forms of differentiation are identity-establishing for some of these fans. Confrontations with rival fans are actively sought to extend team competitions concerning the best support into a physical and violent plane and to enforce territorial claims.
ISSN:1466-0970
1743-9590
DOI:10.1080/14660970.2017.1302934