Baić, V. et al.: Socio-demographic characteristics of violent fan groups at... Acta Kinesiologica 11 (2017) Issue 1: 37-43 SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF VIOLENT FAN GROUPS AT FOOTBALL MATCHES Valentina Baić, Zvonimir Ivanović and Stevan Popović Academy of Criminalistics and Police Studies, Belgrade, Serbia Ministry of interior, Novi Sad, Serbia Original scientific paper 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. Key words: socio-demographic characteristics, violent fan groups, football hooliganism. Introduction Football hooliganism in the last decade has shown phenomenon of football (fans) hooliganism, as well continuous growth in a number of countries, as issues of prevention actions (Ignjatovic, 2011, including Serbia, which is related to provoking riots, Đurđević, N. 2010, Savković & Đorđević, 2010; disruption of public order, aggressive behavior of Dimovski & Ilić, 2015). In the Anglo-Saxonian fans, illegal possession of firearms, vandalism and literature also we can come to the research from confrontation with the criminal law (Milojević aspects of socio-anthropological and psychological Simonović, Janković, Otašević, Bloc, 2013; Misić, investigation of socio-psychological characteristics 2010; Otašević, 2010; Otašević, 2015b; Otašević, of members of hooligan groups (Bandura, Ross & Protić, 2012). This type of violence is not always Ross, 1963; Bodin, 1999, Bodin, Roben & Heas, corresponded to the sport, and can be tied to 2007; Marsh, 1978). According to the results of extremist groups and individuals who do not have a these researches, two key characteristics of football cheering sign, but in our region mostly associated hooliganism exist, which are applicable to all with violence at sporting events (Koković, 1990; European hooligan groups are: the continuity of a 2000; 2010). In contemporary society, football certain behavior, and age structure of the actors. hooliganism is essentially the most related to the The members of hooligan groups are most often position and status of young people in society and men, aged to 27 years, members of the lower their potential environmental and social fulfillment social classes, who cherish the cult of masculinity, (Koković, 1990; 2000; 2010; Otašević, 2015). and maintain a strong connection to the group. Hooliganism in general and football hooliganism, They are characterized by a competitive mentality, present the issues that are and that will and self-assertion achieve confrontation with unfortunately be part of our everyday lives. members of the rival fan groups. The results of the Football violence is only a small part of delinquent aforementioned studies, which are based on data youth of the world, because hooligans are actors of obtained from the participants of violence, many other forms of problematic behavior, which is reflecting the socio-demographic factors such as not just about violence at sporting events, but can low socio-economic status of the family, poor living involve the usual violence on the street, carrying conditions, large families, etc. At the same time we out extremist groups and individuals, mostly can detect a statistically significant relationship adolescents and young adults. So, violent crime of between poverty and delinquency, with hooliganism sports fans in itself sublimates all criminal activity which partly explains the social determination, fan groups and individuals, and from that point is although all hooligans are not socially depressed not a problem of football (or any other sports) but individuals, dissatisfied with their lives and with no a problem of violence, or more broadly, social prospect. Parallel to the bleak picture of the problem (Đorić, 2012; Koković, 1990; 2000; 2010; individuals social status, insufficiently involved in Ljuština, Amanović, Ljubisavljević & Juvan, 2016; society or those belonging to the lowest social Mille, 1997). Within The Serbian scientific theory classes, these studies reflect the social reality and mostly we encounter to works with criminal justice post warning on a number of similarities in the and procedural aspects of dealing with the different countries where the research was 37 Baić, V. et al.: Socio-demographic characteristics of violent fan groups at... Acta Kinesiologica 11 (2017) Issue 1: 37-43 conducted (Bandura et al., 1963). In general, the analysis and interpretation of socio-demographic characteristics impinges on the etiological issues of crime, while on the other hand, their potential links with criminal behavior are complex and usually indirect. That what is meant by socio-demographic characteristics, are the results of a complex and dynamic relationship of personality, environment and opportunity, reflecting the difficulty of determining their importance when it comes to criminal etiological elaboration. However, the study of the socio-demographic characteristics of the criminal population, Figure 1. Age structure of the members of fan represents the recognition of scientific point of view groups to the criminal phenomenon as complex Characteristcs of the residence phenomena (Simeunović-Patić, 2002). Given the importance of studying their own practice and work Characteristcs of the residence were observed in this field, we started writing this article through according to the modalities of the city-suburban- research which was conducted with aim to examine rural area. Examination of the characteristics was the socio-demographic characteristics of violent fan aimed to determine the place of residence or the groups at football matches, as well as the criminal city or areas from which are recruited members of activities of their members. fan groups. Survey results show that the majority consisting of 73.4% of fan groups resides in the Methods city, and that 20.9% resides in suburban areas, only 5.0% have a residence in the countryside, Participants while there are those whose residence address is The study included 139 male participants, aged 16- unknown in the total amount of 0.71% of, χ2 (3, N 40 years, a total of 18 members of the fan groups = 139 ) = 186.04, p <.01 (Figure 2). from the area of Novi Sad and the environment, who are fans of football clubs Vojovodina, Red Star, Partizan and Novi Sad. One of the main reasons why exactly these fan groups were the subject of research, is that the same were recognized as the most influential, the riskiest and most numerous by the Police Department Novi Sad, Department of monitoring violence and misbehavior at sports event. Figure 2. Characteristics of the place of residence Instruments All scientific analyzes were performed on data on Level of education of members of fan groups the number of juvenile and adult person, which For the purpose of determining the members of fan were recorded by the Police Department Novi Sad, group social position, we have tried to analyze the Department of monitoring violence and misbehavior three types of information, ie. data relating to at sports event in the period from 2011 to the first school education, occupation and employment. The half of 2016. results show that there isn’t equal representation of the level of qualifications among members of fan Results groups, χ2 (3, N = 139) = 164.57, p <.01. Through the analysis of data pertaining to school education, Age structure of the members of fan groups it was found that 0.7% of the population of fan Age structure observed on the basis of criminal law groups were without any education, 4.3% have classification, according to which a distinction is completed primary school, and most of them have made between younger minors, aged 14-16 years, completed secondary education 69.1% (Chart 3). older minors (juveniles), aged 16-18 years, young adults aged 18-21 years and adults aged 21 onwards. Results of scientific research have showed a statistically significant difference in the age of representation within the members of fan groups, χ2 (3, N = 139) = 208.77, p <.01). The research results show that out of 139 members of fan groups, only 1.4% belongs to the category of junior and senior juveniles, something more, 20.9% category of younger adults and much more, Figure 3. Education level 76.3% adults category (Figure 1). 38 Baić, V. et al.: Socio-demographic characteristics of violent fan groups at... Acta Kinesiologica 11 (2017) Issue 1: 37-43 The occupation of the members of fan groups In terms of occupations, it has been found that there is not equal frequency of the different categories of occupation within the sample fans, χ2 (4, N = 139) = 206.22, p <0.01. The analysis of data revealed that 18% of fans are workers, 5.8% of population are pupilss, and 4.3% are students, and that 4.3% (6)of population are without permanent occupation (Figure 4). For the largest share of the sample occupation is unknown. Figure 6. Socio-economic status Marital status of members of fan groups The research results show unequal representation of categories of marital status within the sample of fans, χ2 (3, N = 139) = 192.89, p <0.01.