The Globalization of Hooliganism: How It Spreads Across Borders

20 June 2025

Let’s be real — when most of us think about football, we imagine the electrifying atmosphere of packed stadiums, passionate chants echoing through the air, and heart-stopping goals that bring us to our feet. But there’s a darker side to this beautiful game that often lurks beneath the surface. A side that rears its head during what should be moments of unity and celebration. Yep, we’re talking about hooliganism.

Now, hooliganism isn’t just a local issue anymore. It’s not confined to a single country or culture. Over the years, it’s grown, mutated, and spilled over borders like a virus without a passport. And guess what? It’s become a global problem.

So, let’s unpack this. Why is hooliganism spreading across borders like wildfire? How did it go from street skirmishes outside local pubs to international incidents involving thousands of fans from different continents? Buckle up, because this is not just a sports story — it's a human story.

What Exactly Is Hooliganism?

Before we talk about how it spread, let’s define it. Hooliganism isn’t just rowdy behavior at matches. It’s organized, intentional, and often violent. These aren’t just angry fans throwing a tantrum because their team lost — many of them are part of tight-knit groups that plan attacks like military operations. It’s tribal, aggressive, and unfortunately, deeply rooted in identity.

And no, it's not only about football. The emotion tied to the sport is simply the stage. The real issue runs deeper — into societal tensions, patriotism gone wrong, and a need for belonging, even if that means tearing things down to feel seen.

Birthplace: England’s Rough and Rowdy Pasts

Let’s not sugarcoat it: hooliganism has its roots in England, going way back to the 1960s and 70s. English football fans, especially those in working-class neighborhoods, often vented their frustrations in and around stadiums. It wasn’t just about the game — it was about poverty, unemployment, and a general sense of being let down by society.

Back then, it was fistfights in alleyways and pub brawls before and after matches. Clubs had unofficial “firms” — groups of supporters known for creating chaos. These groups became infamous, like West Ham’s Inter City Firm or Manchester United’s Red Army. They weren’t just spectators; they were warriors with scarves and steel-toed boots.

The Changing Face of Hooliganism

Fast forward to today, and hooliganism doesn’t look like it used to. It’s more strategic, more connected, and — thanks to technology — more global.

In the age of Twitter, Telegram, and Instagram, hooligans are no longer just shouting across terraces. They're organizing online, sharing tactics, and even livestreaming fights. It's like a digital battlefield before the real one.

International tournaments like the World Cup or UEFA Champions League have become hotspots for organized fan violence. Different national groups come together — not to exchange culture or shake hands — but to clash like rival clans from a medieval fantasy story.

How Technology Fuels the Fire

Ever heard of “fight clubs” between football hooligans? No, not the Brad Pitt kind — actual pre-arranged fights between rival gangs. These happen in forests, industrial complexes, or hidden alleys — and they’re set up online.

Encrypted messaging apps like Telegram allow these groups to coordinate without law enforcement catching on. Some groups even post videos of their “victories” as a form of propaganda. It’s disturbing… and fascinating.

Let’s face it — technology spreads more than just memes and cat videos. It spreads ideologies. It allows nationalism, racism, and toxic masculinity to fester. And when merged with fanatical sports passion, it can create a deadly cocktail.

From Local Clashes to Global Warfare

So how exactly did hooliganism become a global issue? One word: exposure.

As football became a global phenomenon, so did the culture surrounding it. Satellite TV and the internet brought English football to homes in Brazil, Indonesia, Poland, and Russia. Along with the goals and glory, came the chants, the fashion, and unfortunately, the violence.

Some countries embraced this "fan culture" without fully understanding its dark undertones. What started as mimicry — wearing British-style football attire or waving scarves — slowly evolved into full-on adoption of hooligan behavior. Local groups began forming their own firms. They studied the English model and added their own twist.

In Poland and Russia, for example, ultra-violence is almost ritualistic. Fights are organized down to the last detail. In Italy and Spain, clashes between rival ultras routinely lead to stadium bans and arrests. Even in South America, where football culture was already intense, a more structured form of organized violence began to take shape.

The Role of Politics and National Identity

Let’s not ignore another major player here: politics. Hooliganism, in many regions, isn’t just about club rivalry. It’s tied to nationalism, racial identity, and even extremist ideologies.

Take Eastern Europe. In some places, hooligan groups double as nationalist militias. Their love for their club is often only matched by their hatred for immigrants, minorities, or neighboring countries. It’s football, sure. But it's also a mirror reflecting deep, unresolved national issues.

The same goes for Latin America where football clubs are often enmeshed in political issues, corruption, and class divides. Supporting a club isn’t just a leisure activity — for many, it’s a political statement.

Why Do People Join These Groups?

It’s easy to sit back and label hooligans as thugs or criminals. But let’s ask the tough question: Why do people join these groups in the first place?

You’d be surprised how often the answer is loneliness, lack of purpose, or a desire for acceptance. Hooligan groups offer structure, loyalty, and a sense of brotherhood. For some, it’s the only place where they feel seen. It’s like joining a gang — just dressed up in football gear.

Sometimes, people don’t join for violence initially. They join for the camaraderie, the rush, the identity. But like quicksand, once you’re in, getting out isn’t easy.

Not Just Men Anymore

Here’s another twist: hooliganism isn’t just a boys’ club anymore. Women are increasingly getting involved. Some are leaders within their groups. Others are active participants in clashes. Gender roles in hooliganism are shifting, and it’s reshaping the culture in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

It raises more questions than answers. Are these women breaking gender stereotypes… or falling into the same trap of toxic loyalty and violence?

Can It Be Stopped?

Now, this is the million-dollar question. How do you stop something so widespread, so deeply rooted?

Let’s start with what hasn’t worked. Hefty fines, stadium bans, police presence — they help, but they don’t solve the core issue. You can remove a hooligan from a stadium, but not from society. The violence simply moves to the streets or online.

What does work? Community programs, mental health support, youth outreach, and — most importantly — education. People need purpose, especially the young. Give them something to fight for other than club colors. Give them hope, jobs, belonging. If we fill the gaps in society, there will be less reason to fill them with violence.

A Glimmer of Hope?

Not everything’s bleak. Around the world, movements are rising to reclaim football culture. Groups are pushing back against hooliganism, racism, and intolerance in the stands. Supporters’ trusts, ultras with positive causes, and fan-led initiatives are giving us a glimpse of what football could be — a space for inclusion, identity, and joy.

And maybe, just maybe, by understanding how hooliganism spreads, we can start to contain it. Like any problem, shining a light on it is the first step toward healing.

Final Thoughts

Hooliganism isn’t just about football. It’s about people. People who feel invisible, who crave belonging, and who find power in their fists when they feel powerless in the rest of their lives.

But that doesn’t mean it’s okay. Violence has no place in sport. Passion? Yes. Rivalry? Sure. But not blood, not hatred.

The globalization of hooliganism shows just how interconnected we've become — for better or worse. But it also proves that if violence can travel across borders, so can peace. So can understanding.

We all love the beautiful game. Let’s not let the darkness win.