Reducing spectator violence in Zimbabwe’s Premier Soccer League: An action research approach

Abstract

Zimbabwean soccer has long been dogged by the problem of spectator violence and efforts to deal with the problem - largely top down and coercive - have had little effect. This article reports on an alternative approach - bottom up and participatory - based on action research with members of the supporter’s association of one Premier Soccer League club. In the exploratory stage, the nature, causes and effects of spectator violence were investigated. In the planning and implementation stage, a one-day workshop with supporters’ association members emphasised bottom up, consciousness raising initiatives. It led to the formation of a non-government organisation to promote these initiatives throughout Zimbabwe. In the evaluation stage, bottom-up initiatives were found to have a positive effect on spectator violence. These results suggest that there is potential for supporters’ associations to encourage their members to think and act nonviolently towards supporters of opposing teams and so reduce spectator violence at PSL matches.

Keywords: Action research, soccer, spectator violence, Zimbabwe