Abstract: (45 Views)
Introduction: This study aims to provide a scoping review of research conducted on football hooliganism in Iran. Hooliganism refers to collective, disorganized, and often violent behaviors by football fans, resulting from social frustration and emotional arousal. Despite several scattered studies in Iran since the 2000s, no comprehensive overview of theoretical and methodological trends has been provided to date.
Method: Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, a systematic search was conducted in Persian academic databases (SID, MagIran, ISC, Noormags, and Ensani). Studies published between 2000 to 2024 were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria. Fifty eligible articles were identified and evaluated for methodological quality using the MMAT (2018) checklist. The data were coded and analyzed through thematic and comparative analysis to extract dominant patterns across the studies.
Findings: Results showed that the majority of Iranian studies adopted a positivist paradigm (70%) and quantitative designs (64%), focusing mainly on aggressive and violent behaviors of spectators. Sociological frameworks (20%) and the frustration–aggression theory (16%) were the most frequently applied theoretical models. Social factors (30%) and psychological variables (20%) were the most frequently examined determinants in the reviewed studies, while “false emotions” and “leader influence” served as key mediators. Overall, the literature reveals a linear, one-directional interpretation of hooliganism, emphasizing individual and social causes while neglecting institutional, cultural, and media-related dimensions.
Discussion: The review highlights that football hooliganism in Iran is a multidimensional and interdisciplinary phenomenon shaped by the interaction of social, psychological, cultural, and managerial factors. Existing studies tend to adopt a behavioral and control-oriented perspective rather than exploring the institutional and cultural roots of violence. It is therefore recommended that future research employs integrative and qualitative approaches to better understand the sociocultural mechanisms underlying hooligan behaviors and to support evidence-based policymaking in sports governance.
Method: Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, a systematic search was conducted in Persian academic databases (SID, MagIran, ISC, Noormags, and Ensani). Studies published between 2000 to 2024 were screened based on predefined inclusion criteria. Fifty eligible articles were identified and evaluated for methodological quality using the MMAT (2018) checklist. The data were coded and analyzed through thematic and comparative analysis to extract dominant patterns across the studies.
Findings: Results showed that the majority of Iranian studies adopted a positivist paradigm (70%) and quantitative designs (64%), focusing mainly on aggressive and violent behaviors of spectators. Sociological frameworks (20%) and the frustration–aggression theory (16%) were the most frequently applied theoretical models. Social factors (30%) and psychological variables (20%) were the most frequently examined determinants in the reviewed studies, while “false emotions” and “leader influence” served as key mediators. Overall, the literature reveals a linear, one-directional interpretation of hooliganism, emphasizing individual and social causes while neglecting institutional, cultural, and media-related dimensions.
Discussion: The review highlights that football hooliganism in Iran is a multidimensional and interdisciplinary phenomenon shaped by the interaction of social, psychological, cultural, and managerial factors. Existing studies tend to adopt a behavioral and control-oriented perspective rather than exploring the institutional and cultural roots of violence. It is therefore recommended that future research employs integrative and qualitative approaches to better understand the sociocultural mechanisms underlying hooligan behaviors and to support evidence-based policymaking in sports governance.
Article number: 7
Keywords: Football hooliganism, scoping review, spectator behavior, frustration–aggression theory, Iran.
Type of Study: review |
Received: 2025/04/25 | Accepted: 2026/05/5
Received: 2025/04/25 | Accepted: 2026/05/5
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Social Welfare Quarterly
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