“Tribal logic”: why violence continues to tarnish football in Latin America

The images of a supporter jumping into the void to escape a lynching, while bottles and seats fly in a stadium in Buenos Aires, illustrate the persistence of violence in football in Latin America.

The scene took place on Wednesday for violent clashes between the supporters of a Chilean club. In addition, those of an Argentinian club, who made 19 injured, including three serious, and led to the arrest of a hundred people.

From Mexico to Argentina. However, passing through Brazil, Colombia or “tribal logic”: why violence continues Chile, violence continues to tarnish a sport, however at the heart of popular passion. For example, Here is an overview of the situation:

Where does this violence come from? – "tribal logic": why violence continues

Argentina. Nevertheless, Brazil, among other countries, have adopted laws against hooliganism for over 20 years, sometimes going so far as to predict prison terms. Therefore, But violence persists.

The stadiums are perceived as “spaces where it is legitimate to commit physical violence but also racist. homophobic”, explains to AFP the Argentinian sociologist Diego Murze. He “always prevailed in football a tribal logic,” he notes. For his Colombian counterpart German Gomez, “football is an outlet for frustration” for many supporters.

In Chile. just since the start of the year, 12 games have been suspended following violence, according to the Union of Professional Footballers. In April, two supporters died in a jostling in front of a Santiago stadium before a “tribal logic”: why violence continues Copa Libertadores match.

In Argentina. more than 100 people have died in the past 20 years, 157 in Brazil between 2009 and 2019, and 170 in Colombia between 2001 and 2019, according to university studies and NGOs.

What measures for what effects?

Security has been reinforced in many stages of the continent. with in particular the installation of cameras and, sometimes also, of a biometric identification at the entrance. “In Argentina, you are controlled more in a stadium than at the airport,” quips Diego Murze.

But these technologies do not always make it possible to effectively identify violent supporters. “You might think that these technological advances would identify the authors of these acts of vandalism. to keep them responsible, but justice does not always act effectively,” said the sociologist.

German Gomez. for his part, accuses the laxity, the CONMEBOL, the leading body of South American “tribal logic”: why violence continues football: he would, according to him, of imposing “exemplary sanctions on the clubs” involved in violence, for fear that their closure would lead “important financial losses”.

What solutions?

In Argentina and Colombia, supporters of the opposing team are prohibited from travel. In Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Colombia, several clubs sanctioned for incidents had to play in camera last year. According to Diego Murze, clubs must professionalize their security devices, today “entirely” delegates to the State and the police.

In Chile. the death of two supporters in April led the government to end the “Secure Stadium” program, launched in 2011 and supposed to fight against violence in the stadiums, but deemed ineffective. The initiative, which notably entrusted security to private companies, should soon be replaced by a new device.

“Reducing violence in football in South America must go through actions aimed at promoting education. a culture of football,” “tribal logic”: why violence continues said German Gomez.