We often see how football is associated with violent behavior, both inside and outside the stadium. While the sport itself promotes values such as teamwork, respect, and personal growth, the passion it ignites in some fans can lead to aggressive attitudes. This is especially evident in intense rivalries between teams, where supporters may engage in physical confrontations, disturbances, or even acts of vandalism. Moreover, the media and social networks sometimes amplify these behaviors, normalizing or even glorifying them.
However, we also know that there are numerous initiatives aimed at counteracting this phenomenon by promoting a culture of respect, coexistence, and non-violence around football. One such example is the excellent work being carried out by the Royal Football Federation of the Principality of Asturias, which is committed to creating a “Welfare and Protection Protocol for Children and Adolescents Against Violence,” based on scientific evidence with social impact, and pioneering in its dialogic approach to this issue.
We, the undersigned, do not understand football as a violent activity. We are two fans of Real Sociedad and five of Athletic Club de Bilbao, teams with a long-standing historical rivalry in the Basque Country. Unlike many other derbies marked by intense rivalry or even animosity, the Basque Derby (Euskal Derbia, in Basque) is usually played in an atmosphere of mutual respect and solidarity among fans, players, and clubs. Gestures of sportsmanship before, during, and after the match are common. This model of derby has historically been an example of commitment, effort, humility, and pride. This is how we understand football: as a celebration rather than a battle, as an example of coexistence, identity, and sporting respect rather than a polarized and hostile environment.
Editor of Daily 27.
Predoctoral researcher at the Department of Sociology in University of Barcelona.
Emeritus Full-Professor at the University of Barcelona. Number 1 researcher in Google Scholar Scientific ranking in the categories of "Gender Violence" and "Social Impact". Director of REVERS-ED.
PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in the best school of education in the world
Pre-doctoral researcher at University of the Basque Country
Primary Education Teacher.
Currently working on his doctoral thesis at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV).
Adjunct Professor of Sociology at the Universidad de Barcelona
Clarinetist graduated from the Conservatory of Music of Aragón.
Assistant Lecturer at the University of the Basque Country