Hooligans buitenspel - Beeld Damir Sencar via Shutterstock
Hooligans buitenspel - Beeld Damir Sencar via Shutterstock

Beyond Hooliganism: Protest Movements in Soccer Stadiums | Radboud Sounds

***Doornroosje | Café | 20:10 - 20:25 hrs***

This talk is part of Radboud Sounds on Friday 14 June 2024 @ Doornroosje (Nijmegen)

Is a football supporter throwing fireworks on the pitch a vandal, or is this a form of protest? Is it an outlet for frustration with the match or the club, or is there a deeper dissatisfaction with problems in society? Come hear Paul Reef and learn that it's not all that simple and that football supporters played a role in the democratisation of East Germany, for example.

This Soundbite will be held in English

Is a football supporter throwing fireworks on the pitch a vandal, or is this a form of protest? Is it an outlet for frustration with the match or the club, or is there a deeper dissatisfaction with problems in society? Come listen to Paul Reef and learn that it is not all that simple and that football supporters played a role in the democratisation of East Germany, for example. Sport and politics have long since ceased to be opposites, neither are football riots and protests.

Sports historian Paul Reef argues that there is a difference between hooliganism and actual activism or protest by football fans. Because not all forms of rebellion by football fans is hooliganism.

Come hear and find out more. 

About the speaker

Paul Reef is a PhD candidate and associate professor of political and international history at Radboud University. His dissertation deals with the history of protest around international sports tournaments. Paul's main research interests concern the dynamics between sport and politics, popular politics and protest movements, international organisations and European integration in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Radboud Sounds | Science Festival on Protest

This program is part of Protest! - Radboud Sounds Science Festival with live music, talks, soundbites and more on Friday, June 14, 2024, at Doornroosje, Nijmegen. Scientists from Radboud University will shine their light on the science of protest from different disciplines. Doornroosje programs the live acts. Put together your own programme and immerse yourself in science and music. Watch the aftermovie of Radboud Sounds 2023.

Contact information

Would you like to know more about the Radboud Sounds programme, or do you have other questions or comments? Please contact info [at] reflects.ru.nl (info[at]reflects[dot]ru[dot]nl)

Organizational unit
Radboud Reflects
About person
P.R. Reef (Paul) MA