Socio-demographic characteristics of violent fan groups at football matches

Abstract

The main objective of the research was to study the most important socio-demographic characteristics of violent fan groups at football matches, as well as criminal activities of their members. The authors in the paper have used data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, especially originating from Novi Sad Police Department, and from the Section of monitoring violence and misbehavior at sports events, which included a total of 139 members, 18 fan groups, aged 16-40 years. The research results show that in the overall structure of registered members of fan groups, the largest share of adults as well as young adults, who are recruited from families with unfavorable socio-economic status. In terms of other socio-demographic characteristics, the survey results show that members of the fan groups in the highest percentage have finished high school, and that they were unemployed, unmarried and gravitate from the city and partially from suburban areas. In view of their delinquent activities, predominantly author have found crimes against property and crimes and offenses, which is characterized by a particular method of execution that is dominated by violence and the use of various explosive devices.