Sports
Football Hooligans: The Culture of Fans and Streets
In Europe, sport is everywhere. On match days, you see fans flood the streets around the stadium. They come from nearby towns or other regions. You meet groups of friends stopping at cafés, buying snacks, and talking loudly. If you walk down these streets, you feel the energy long before kickoff. Sport shapes daily routines, not just the games.
Football pulls the biggest crowds. You can barely find a seat in large stadiums. Streets near stadiums fill with fans, drums, flags, and chants. You notice how alive the area becomes hours before the first whistle. Deep understanding and legit betting service have allowed fans not only to have fun but also to predict outcomes and profit from them. But how did football fan culture emerge? How did Europe’s most popular sport develop a “dark side”?
The History of a Phenomenon: British Ghetto and Glittering Stadiums
Football hooliganism extends beyond stadiums and sports bars. It’s an entire ideology that originated in the UK’s working-class districts in the mid-20th century. The first fan groups came together out of a need among young people from working-class families to feel part of a group and share interests. Matches immediately became not only a celebration but also a place for self-expression.
The economic crisis of the 1970s forced new members into the fan groups. The first “firms” developed their own style – tracksuits, hoodies, and sneakers became a way to conceal their identity. It was also during this time that the first clashes with other groups and the concept of “honor” for the home club began.
In the 1980s, football hooliganism grew fast across the UK. You could spot rival fan groups ready to clash at almost every match. Newspapers and TV reported fights constantly. If you walked near a stadium, the tension hit you immediately. Police watched the groups closely and followed troublemakers moving between cities.
By the 1990s, hooliganism was no longer just a UK problem. Similar fan culture appeared in Italy, Germany, and other parts of Europe, spreading across borders. Italy developed the ultras movement, Germany saw organized fan stands take shape in the Bundesliga, and similar patterns appeared in other countries, turning hooliganism into a continental phenomenon.
Today, media and cinema have mainstreamed the phenomenon and transformed hooliganism into a more peaceful medium. The new aesthetic hasn’t deprived fans of their identity, but it has civilized their chants, rules, and behavior. This fanatical passion, uniqueness, and diversity of concepts have made sports fans loyal and popular worldwide.
Beyond the Field: How Hooligans Became Part of Football
For hooligans, football isn’t just a favorite sport, but a part of their identity. Club communities have become their “second home,” and chants and flags have become new national symbols. The most interesting part is these concepts of football fans:
- A match is like an arena. Matches are about more than just the teams. Fans compete for the best spots in the stands, the most visible banners, and who can make the most noise. In England, these rivalries can feel as intense as the game on the pitch itself.
- Symbolism and rituals. Hooligans always carry drums and smoke flares, and use chants, flags, and clothing with symbols. This is their way of expressing support and their own potential through their favorite hobby. Casual sportswear has also become a powerful cultural asset: the style has remained trendy among the masses for over 30 years.
- Fans have a real impact on the game. Players, coaches, and even well-known football stars often say that the energy and support from the crowd can make a difference, especially in tough matches. Hooligan behavior has changed the structure of matches, shifting the priority to safety.
- Contradiction and uniqueness. It’s difficult to give an objective assessment of this phenomenon: on the one hand, many football fans promote violence, on the other hand, they expose sensitive social issues.
Hooligans change how fans experience the game. On match days, streets and stadiums are crowded as people go to support their team. Their presence shows the level of commitment some fans have to their club.
Hooligans Around the World
Fan culture looks different in every country, shaped by local history, social habits, and the way communities connect to football. We have already discussed casuals from England. How do their “colleagues” from other countries differ?
Italian ultras vividly reflect the locals’ temperament. For them, football is a spectacular show in the stands, combining pyrotechnics, banners, and songs. Here, the phenomenon carries a stronger political agenda – these fans are almost always outspoken right- or left-wingers, and they don’t hesitate to discuss social issues and advocate for civil rights.
Eastern Europe is a region where fanaticism is also tied to national identity. Local fans strive to assert themselves within the community and emphasize their love for their country. South America, on the other hand, is about passion, dancing, and almost folkloric elements. Here, football is loved since childhood and watched with families. At the same time, some fans are intertwined with crime and politics, further highlighting the phenomenon’s unique duality.
Football hooliganism has become a way to demonstrate one’s belonging to something bigger through their favorite club. The concept’s primary appeal lies in its flexibility – it constantly changes depending on generation, historical stage, economic level, and even location. This has made football a tremendous cultural asset worldwide.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The deal between Arsenal Football Club and Emirates has been renewed, making it one of the longest-running and most recognisable partnerships in world sport.
Both parties first came together as partners in 2006 and have since built one of football’s defining partnerships. Spanning the entire Emirates Stadium era, the relationship has evolved alongside the club – supporting Arsenal’s ambitions, strengthening both organisations’ global reach and creating new ways for supporters around the world to connect with Arsenal.
The latest deal will see Emirates continue as the Champions’ front-of-shirt, training kit and stadium naming rights partner through to 2033.
The renewal comes at a pivotal moment in the club’s history following its recent Premier League title. The new agreement will build on many of the flagship initiatives that have defined the partnership, including the Emirates Cup, which brings world-class football to Emirates Stadium each summer, and Global Gooners, which gives supporters from around the world the opportunity to experience Arsenal in North London for the first time.
The next chapter of the partnership will begin this weekend as Arsenal welcome Borussia Dortmund to North London for the Emirates Cup, with a programme of anniversary activity celebrating more than two decades of shared history while looking ahead to the next chapter still to be written. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, will attend alongside Arsenal senior leadership as part of the celebrations.
Launching alongside the partnership renewal is a new cinematic film featuring Arsenal legend Per Mertesacker. Set inside an antique shop filled with objects from across the Emirates era, the film celebrates two decades of shared memories between Arsenal, Emirates and our supporters, reflecting on the history we’ve made together and the moments still to come.
“Winning the Premier League is an incredibly proud moment in our club’s history and one that belongs to everyone connected with Arsenal. Emirates has been an integral part of this success – standing alongside us throughout this journey and sharing in the defining moments, challenges and successes that have shaped our club over the past two decades,” the chief executive of Arsenal, Mr Richard Garlick, stated.
On his part, the President of Emirates Airline, Sir Tim Clark, said, “Over the last two decades, Emirates and Arsenal have built something that goes far beyond a traditional partnership, and one we are immensely proud of. We have grown alongside the club through changes of era and ambition, united by a shared goal of bringing people closer to what they love.
“In practice, that has meant reaching the millions who follow Arsenal across the Emirates network and beyond and creating experiences for them that neither of us could have done alone.”
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will look to secure their place in the quarter-finals when they face Egypt in their final Group C match on Wednesday at 9:00 pm at the ongoing WAFCON 2026 in Morocco.
The defending champions bounced back from their disappointing 3-2 defeat to Malawi with a crucial 1-0 victory over Zambia and will now be aiming to finish the group stage strongly. All the matches of the tournament air live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv.
The final matchday of Group A saw hosts Morocco play out a goalless draw with Senegal, a result that was enough to send Morocco through to the quarter-finals in first position in their group. Algeria also secured their place in the knockout stages after a 2-0 victory over Kenya, bringing their group-stage campaign to a strong close.
Tuesday, Group B will conclude with Burkina Faso facing South Africa before Tanzania takes on Ivory Coast. South Africa and Ivory Coast played out a 2-2 draw in their previous match, while Burkina Faso bounced back from their opening defeat with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania. With the group still to be decided, the final results will determine which teams join the quarter-final line-up.
All eyes will then turn to Group C on Wednesday, where Egypt will face Nigeria, and Malawi will take on Zambia, with both matches kicking off at 9:00 pm. The Super Falcons will be hoping to build on their victory over Zambia and secure the result they need to advance to the knockout stages, while Egypt will be looking to end their campaign on a positive note after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Malawi in their previous game.
Nigeria’s final group match comes after a difficult start to their title defence. The Super Falcons were stunned 3-2 by Malawi in their opening game but responded with a 1-0 victory over Zambia to revive their campaign. The ten-time champions will now need to complete the job against Egypt as they look to keep their hopes of retaining the continental crown alive.
The final group-stage fixtures on Thursday will see Ghana take on Mali, and Cape Verde face Cameroon on Thursday, with both matches also scheduled for 9:00 pm. Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their previous outing, while Mali secured a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde. The final results will determine which teams progress to the knockout stages from Group D.
Matchday 3 Fixtures
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso vs South Africa – 9:00 pm
Tanzania vs Ivory Coast – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt vs Nigeria – 9:00 pm
Malawi vs Zambia – 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 6
Cape Verde vs Cameroon – 9:00 pm
Mali vs Ghana – 9:00 pm
SuperSport Brings All the Live Action
Catch every match of WAFCON Morocco 2026 live on SS Football (Ch. 202, GOtv Ch. 61) and SS Football Plus (DStv Ch. 202) on DStv and GOtv. Fans can also stream every match live on DStv Stream from ₦6,000, with no decoder or dish required.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
At least for the next four seasons, DStv and GOtv subscribers are guaranteed access to all UEFA men’s club matches on SuperSport.
This is because CANAL+, the parent company of MultiChoice, which owns DStv and GOtv, has secured the exclusive broadcast rights to all UEFA men’s club competitions across Sub-Saharan Africa through 2031, ensuring SuperSport will continue to broadcast the UEFA Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues live to DStv and GOtv subscribers.
The four-season agreement, which begins with the 2027/28 campaign, covers more than 40 countries across the region and includes exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, SuperSport will continue as the exclusive broadcaster of UEFA club competitions, bringing the continent’s biggest European club matches to DStv and GOtv subscribers. The agreement also restores full UEFA Champions League coverage on CANAL+ Sport channels in French-speaking Africa, alongside the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
The rights deal further strengthens CANAL+’s sports portfolio, which already includes major football competitions such as the Premier League, LALIGA EA SPORTS, Ligue 1, the Betway Premiership and the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
The agreement ensures football fans across Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to enjoy live coverage of Europe’s premier club competitions on SuperSport when the new rights cycle begins in 2027.
“We are very proud of this new partnership, which gives us exclusive rights to all UEFA Men’s Club competitions across more than 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“For four seasons, until 2031, our subscribers will enjoy the thrill of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League’s biggest matches. Today, CANAL+ offers the most attractive sports line-up across Sub-Saharan Africa, and the acquisition of these rights is a perfect illustration of that.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to UC3 and to the teams at Relevent for once again placing their trust in CANAL+, following our recent agreements in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and Austria,” the chief executive of CANAL+, Mr Maxime Saada, stated.
