During the Civil Rights Movement, Black fans used their passion for sports as a nonviolent weapon. They stayed at home or watched games in public spaces instead of the stadium seats where segregation was enforced, and they kept up a steady stream of boycotts through Black press, pickets and pamphlets.
Similarly, when it comes to watching football, the simultaneous nature of fandom can sharpen these protests. Hundreds or thousands of fans will be watching the same game at the same time, whether at the stadium, a bar, a friend’s house, or on TV. It might not be noticeable if one fan boos, but it becomes visible when hundreds or thousands do the same.
Fans have a long history of using their passion for football as a tool to fight for social change. Whether they helped bring down Jose Mourinho or marched against their club owner, these stories remind us that fan activism isn’t just a fad and can be a powerful tool for progressive change.
But critics who argue that a fan should abandon a team or sport because of moral issues have a misguided understanding of the power of fandom. Unlike collecting ivory, for example, which can be replaced with other hobbies, sports fandom is often more than just a pastime – it is a form of love that shapes our very identities. That is why when a team does something morally wrong, it is important that fans speak out.