Whether they helped bring down Jose Mourinho or led marches against their club owners, fans have a long history of using their passion for football to fight for change. These stories remind us that fan activism isn’t a passing fad and remains a powerful force in the sport.
While protests are often motivated by emotions like anger or solidarity, the best ones are carefully planned and crafted. That’s why it’s important to understand the science behind protest tactics.
For example, one of the most effective ways to make a point is to boycott the first 20 minutes of a game. That was the strategy adopted by Dortmund fans on Tuesday as they protested their club’s ticket prices at a Bundesliga match in Stuttgart. The fans’ action may have had an impact; the club later announced it would freeze prices for next season and cut discounts for seniors, students and others.
Another way to protest is to chant. While such demonstrations don’t always have a major effect, they can help to spread awareness of an issue. During last weekend’s Premier League match between Liverpool and Sunderland, for example, thousands of supporters walked out in the 77th minute to protest sky-high ticket prices (Liverpool generate around PS35m from tickets).
In addition, effective protests are usually framed by larger issues of governance and power imbalances within clubs. This was the case when fans occupied the pitch at Blackburn Rovers to protest against their ownership by Indian firm Venky’s in October 2013. That protest — along with the result of that evening, which saw Rovers relegated — helped prompt an overhaul of the club’s board.