ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on physical violence and verbal aggression at football matches. Through my experience at a match between River and Libertad, I introduce the concepts of cognitive dissonance and role play in the context of football crowds. Although cases of violence are often attributed almost exclusively to barras, who in the eyes of spectators represent a minority made up of “social misfits and savages,” I argue that spectators contribute – both wittingly and unwittingly – to the creation of hostile environments at football stadiums by joining the barras in their provoking and discriminatory chanting. I also introduce the definitions of violence and aggression that inform my analysis before turning to an overview of the historical context that gave rise to particular interpretations of the concepts of civilization and barbarism in Argentina, which characterize race relations and discriminatory chants at football stadiums to this day. My focus then shifts to the importance of an emic approach to the study of fan mentality and behaviour when seeking to understand a variety of match day practices and performances. With this in mind, I present the case of Emanuel Balbo as an example of the tangible consequences that verbal aggression can have. In addition, I describe the differences between spectators, fans, supporters, and barrabravas before explaining the concept of aguante and its relevance to the study of football-related violence and aggression.
