The reality of the phenomenon of violence in Algerian sports

Abstract

Sports are a mental and physical activity, which attracts a wide and heterogeneous segment of human society. It is a space for competition between two individuals, fans, or teams and supporters, each aspiring to win over the other. In the face of this enthusiasm and drive, sometimes conscious and sometimes unconscious, clashes occur, resulting in various forms of sports violence. The causes and factors, in addition to what was mentioned above, vary between the organizational, psychological, and social environments.

The phenomenon of violence has become the dominant feature of competitive sports. It is a phenomenon as old as competitive sports. However, what is unfortunate and disturbing in recent times is the multiplicity of manifestations of violence and its changing nature. Violence has transcended the boundaries of the green rectangle and is now practiced in the streets, facilities, residential neighborhoods, and educational and social institutions. The destruction of sports facilities and structures, as well as public and private property, has become a means of expressing discontent over defeat and failure, and of compensating for the loss of a football match. Sometimes, joy at victory and triumph is expressed through vandalism, insults, and other means. Through this study, we will attempt to shed light on this dangerously escalating phenomenon, identify the ideas and motives behind it, and develop a vision for scientific solutions based on psychological, social, legal, and security approaches. We will also propose preventative measures to address this phenomenon, given that sports in general, and competitions in particular, have long been a means and an honorable space for conveying values, principles, and morals, and for fostering understanding and rapprochement between peoples and nations.