Investigating the role of geographical culture in the vandalism behaviors of football fans in Iranian Premier League stadiums: Management strategies and outcomes

Document Type : culture

Authors
Mohammad Azadi 1
Mohammad Hami 2
vahid Shojaei 2
1 PhD student in Sports Management, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
2 Department of Sport Management, Sar.C., Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
Abstract
This study investigated the role of football fans' geographical culture in their vandalism behaviors within Iranian Premier League stadiums. The research was grounded in a postmodern paradigm and employed a latent content analysis approach as part of a fundamental qualitative study. Participants were selected via purposive sampling and included sports management faculty members, football federation managers, and national and international players and referees. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews and analyzed in both audio and textual formats using MAXQDA software (Version 2020). The analysis revealed several strategic domains that influence the emergence of vandalism based on cultural geography. These domains include: 1.Legal Strategies: Criminal and judicial measures. 2.Security and Supervisory Strategies: Safety, security, and oversight. 3.Management Strategies: Crisis, safety/equipment, technical/specialist, strategic, and communication/PR management. 4.Cultural Strategies: Social culture management, normative behavior, sports culture, and fan culture management. 5.Technical and Specialist Strategies: Technical planning and motivational programs for fan centers. 6.Educational Strategies: Training for stadium officials, personnel, fans, and fan leaders. The implementation of such comprehensive management strategies can yield significant positive outcomes, encompassing technical/specialist, psychological, security, social, and ideological consequences.

Keywords

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journal of olympic studies
Volume 3, Issue 3
studies of Olympic
Autumn
Autumn 2025
Pages 103-120

  • Receive Date 23 January 2025
  • Revise Date 18 March 2025
  • Accept Date 12 April 2025