Whether they helped bring down Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, marched against their club’s ownership at Chelsea or pushed back against plans to commercialize football, fans use their passion for sports as a vehicle to fight for important social change. Often, this activism isn’t as dramatic as a giant tifo or as visible as a march, but it’s no less powerful.
Despite some recent attempts to curtail fan speech, there are still plenty of examples of clubs and leagues refusing to censor their fans’ protests. For example, Gloria Jimenez and Bruce Martin — leaders of the Angel City Brigade that sits during Galaxy matches at Dignity Health Sports Park — have used their position to highlight immigration raids in Southern California’s Latino communities. Similarly, thousands of Tottenham fans recently marched to call for the removal of their club’s owners.
While it’s important to cover these protest stories, journalists should keep in mind that these events are often more than just a disruption. As a result, it’s essential to focus on the people involved and their motivations. This can include describing their backgrounds, the changes they’re seeking and the history of similar protests in their area.
Moreover, it’s critical to avoid stigmatizing underrepresented groups. For instance, Black sportswriters like Jim Hall, Marcel Hopson and Marion Jackson encouraged fans to use their love of sports as a tool for nonviolent protest during the Civil Rights Movement. In one study, researchers found that news stories that humanized the teenager whose death spurred a protest led to more positive attitudes toward the person, the protest and the protesters.