ABSTRACT
Turkish sports papers are filled with the stories of male fans who harass people, damage property on their way to the games and when inside, insult the opponent and throw objects onto the field. This public display of hegemonic masculinity is often explained away with reference to the ‘male nature’. Made-up partners of the players and other ‘hot’ fans are highly visible and are referred to as ‘ladies’ (Kocaman 2012). Another common stereotype that is a favourite among TV show and commercial producers is the confused female fan who does not get the offside rule. This stereotype has often resulted in comedic discussions wherein male characters try all they can to explain this rule to their female partners. It is also not uncommon for female fans to be depicted as complaining about the cold, the bad language and the condition of the toilets at the stadia. In this chapter I will explore the mediated mis/representations of Turkish male and female football fans across Turkish media, and link the discrepancy to the natural difference discourse, which is highly prevalent in Turkish culture.
