Whether they helped bring down Jose Mourinho, led marches against their club’s ownership at Chelsea or pushed back against plans to commercialize football, fans are a force to be reckoned with. And while their protests may be less dramatic than the giant tifos of the past, they are a powerful tool in the fight for change and respect.
While many critics argue that fan activism is a fad, recent events have shown that it’s far from a passing craze. Across the Premier League and MLS, supporters are expressing their discontent with their clubs. At Manchester United, fans are calling for an end to profiteering from loyalty; at Chelsea, there have been calls to boycott the club’s owners; and at Tottenham, supporters are upset with management decisions that have hampered their team’s performance on the field.
When covering stories about fans’ protests, journalists should focus on the reasons behind the demonstration and include background information on broader movements and relevant history. Additionally, when stories involve members of underrepresented groups, reporters should strive to humanize them by sharing details that help people better understand the person at the center of the protest. This could include writing about the person’s personality, hobbies and family to give readers a fuller picture of their life. Doing so may reduce the risk of dehumanization or delegitimization, and it can also boost perceptions of how credible the news story is. This study finds that telling a story in this way can be beneficial for all parties involved, including the person whose death was the trigger of the protest.