Whether they helped bring down Jose Mourinho, led marches against their club’s owner or pushed back on plans to commercialize the game, fan protest stories remind us that football fans are not just passive consumers. Their passions and commitment to their clubs make them a force to be reckoned with.
Too often, the voices of fans are absent from news coverage about social protests. Instead, journalists tend to focus on describing disruptions by interviewing politicians, police officers and other power holders who are most directly involved. This creates a narrow and biased view of the world that works to reinforce the interests of existing power structures.
While it’s important to include these people in stories, it’s equally vital to hear from fans themselves. Including fan perspectives in news coverage can help to ensure that protests are seen as legitimate activities. For example, a study found that reporting personal details about a teenager who was the subject of a gang-related protest — like his hobbies and family — led to more positive attitudes toward him and the protesters. However, newsrooms should avoid humanizing or dehumanizing the people in their stories as these approaches can lead to different reactions.
Similarly, when reporting on a fan protest story, it’s important to focus on the five Ws of journalism: who, what, where, when and why. It’s also helpful to highlight the motives of the protesters and if possible, include a quote from them that explains their motivations for being there.