Factors influencing violent behavior in football stadiums in Kenitra city (Morocco)

Abstract

The violent behaviors developed by football fans, traditionally known as hooliganism, are deeply rooted in history and widely spread geographically. They relate to the physical aggression and vandalism of the spectators. In Morocco, hooliganism has undergone a considerable evolution. To study the factors involved in the violence at the football stadium, questionnaires were written and filled out to the spectators of the Boutola football matches. The questionnaire includes questions about age, socio-occupational status and drug use. The results showed a relationship between age and socio-economic level and soccer stadium violence. A significant difference in the number of cases of violence (p <0.5%) between drug users and non-users was shown. According to these results, it seems necessary to Sensitize the young people on the negative effects of violence, bring together sports leaders, former athletes, representatives of supporters' groups (Ultras) and relevant government departments and integrate young people into society.