fanaticism is unacceptable in our stadiums
Specialists warned the sports public against exploiting social media platforms to fight and deviate from the rule of sports: “art, morals and taste.” They stressed that with the increase in sporting events and events in the field of football, some fans and fans devote themselves to attacking and fighting, without any display of sports ethics.
They said: Fueling sports fanaticism in our stadiums is completely unacceptable, as sports must adhere to sporting values and humanitarian principles, far from squabbles and quarrels.
First, Professor of Public Health and Consultant in Family and Community Medicine, Professor Tawfiq Ahmed Khoja, says:
Some sports fans - unfortunately - deviate from good sports encouragement based on principles and values, and enter into arguments, heated discussions, and unacceptable clashes. She took advantage of the presence of various social media platforms, and began to present everything she wanted and in the manner she desired, without taking into account the community that follows these platforms.
Hoxha said: Football fanaticism is an epidemic that affects some individuals. Because of their strong affiliation to the team they have supported since their childhood, they cannot accept another team''s victory over them. When a fan finds his team losing or performing poorly, this loss arouses his anger and makes him unaware of the violent actions he is taking, even if they are verbal, in addition to the poor psychological state. For the individual at that time, it makes him want to vent about it in any way, and unacceptable behavior appears on his part, even if it is on social media.
He continued: Sports awareness is required of all fans Because sports are built on the basis of “art, taste, and morals,” any deviation from the text embodies weak awareness, lack of morals, weak culture, and adherence to social etiquette.
Professor Khoja advised all sports fans to avoid sports squabbles, and to exploit platforms for useful presentation and purposeful criticism away from matters that do not serve the sports message, while believing that football is a win, a loss, and a draw. It is better to be happy when you win and accept defeat in a sportsmanlike spirit when you lose.
In this context, social advisor Talal Muhammad Al-Nashiri says
I am completely surprised by some fans engaging in arguments that are unjustified and far from a purposeful discussion. Unfortunately, what has helped to spread the phenomenon of sports rivalry is the presence of numerous social media platforms. Some have taken advantage of this aspect and d several accounts for themselves, which may also be under fictitious names, and begin to present and implant their ideas and tendencies that are outside the scope of purposeful criticism and reasonable speech.
Al-Nashiri said: Unfortunately, some of the fans are characterized by sports fanaticism, which is a phenomenon that indicates extremism in opinions in favor of the club they support, and this is usually accompanied by abuse, ridicule, sarcasm, accusations, and unjustified defamation. This phenomenon has been known since the rise of the sport of football, and is characterized by bias. Extreme passion for a team or player without fair consideration or moderation. Sports fanaticism manifests itself in excessive emotional interactions with sports, and may be accompanied by irrational or hostile behavior toward other teams or people who support different teams.
He continued: The fanatical fan must realize that excessive fanaticism can lead to negative behavior and separation from moral values and the correct sportsmanship. Therefore, cheerleading should be related to healthy sportsmanship and respect for all teams and individuals without unjustified preferences or hostile behavior.
Al-Nashiri advised to unload the charges of fanaticism in something else positive, away from the masses, and to encourage with love, enjoyment and self-control, and to stay away from bullying others in the event of victory, and not to cause problems, and to exercise self-control and calm, as sports fanaticism generates tension and provokes hatred, as Al-Nashiri warned football fans. From psychological anxiety during follow-up, quick anger and irritability, and be careful to encourage moderately and calmly.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Muhammad Ijaz Barasha agrees with the previous opinions and says:
Among the causes of sports fanaticism are lack of sports awareness, insufficient familiarity with the true meanings of honest sports competition, as well as self-love (selfishness) that does not accept criticism or listening to the viewpoints of others, and most importantly, being quickly influenced by useless media. Through social media platforms and individuals who incite the sports street and distort the facts.
He added: There are a set of general characteristics that distinguish those suffering from sports fanaticism. Among them: excessive emotionality, intellectual closure, extreme aggression, monopolizing the conversation, resorting to a loud voice, the desire to control the conversation, excessive sensitivity, confusion of thoughts, and also not being convinced of defeat, and trying to justify it by attributing it to luck, and not to the competitor’s competence.
Dr. Bracha concluded his speech by saying: The fan must realize that watching football is fun, and must not deviate from high sportsmanship, with the belief that football is a win and a loss, and that winning and losing are linked to the team’s performance, physical fitness, and the coach’s plan.
