1st Edition
Football and Violent Extremism An Ethnographic Study of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Ultras
This book examines the ways that nationalist leaders and extremist groups have used football to advance their often-violent ideological narratives and to recruit and radicalise young people.
Drawing on applied ethnographic research with the Ultra fan groups of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the book explores the behavioural dynamics of the BiH Ultras both on, and outside of, the football terraces. The book shines important new light on the Ultras' ideology, organisation and youth recruiting strategies, and their connections with other extremist groups. In a country, and region, divided on ethnic and religious lines, in which far right and ethno-nationalist groups are a visible presence in politics and society, this book helps us to better understand why, when and how BiH youth choose to join these groups, and why, when and how these groups participate in violent acts, hate speech, crime and racist actions, and it has important implications for efforts to counter violent extremism across the Western Balkans and beyond.
This is valuable reading for any researcher, advanced student, policy maker or practitioner working in sport studies, political science, criminology, development studies, security studies or post-conflict studies.
1. Introduction
Introduction
The BiH Economic Situation, Corruption and Youth Disillusionment
The Criminal Landscape in Bosnia and Herzegovina: An Overview
The aims and structure of the book
Methodological notes
2. Setting the Score: The Ultras, Balkans-style
Introduction
Researching the Ultras
Shame and Honour: The Ultras Way of Life
Extremism and the Ultras in Post-Socialist Europe
The Ultras and Football in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a Literature Review
The Balkan Ultras’ Social World
Fighting Stories, Schisms and Corruption
The Croat-Serbian Nexus
The Balkan Ultras, the Far-Right, Homophobia and Riots
Balkan Ultras, Army Commanders and Drug Crimes
Joining the Ultras in Serbia and Croatia: Structure, Fascination and Risk Factors
3. Framing the BiH Ultras
Introduction
Football in Yugoslavia (and Bosnia): a Very Brief History
BiH Ultras Style
The Movementist Nature of the BiH Ultras
Making Sense of the BiH Ultras: Risk Factors
Environmental risk factors
Political risk factors
Socio-psychological risk factors
4. The BiH Ultras Mentality and Their Actions
The Ultras Groups’ Structure
The Ultras Mentality
Values
Anti-System Narratives
The Past and Tradition
Ethnic Nationalism
Violence and Homophobia
Criminal Activities
The Internet
Sharing Football-Related News
Mobilisation
Voicing Dissent
Fundraising
Political Messages
YouTube
Case Study: Srebrenica
Case Study: Sarajevo LGBT Pride Parade
5. The BiH Authority Response to the Ultras Threat
The BiH Power Field
Containing the Ultras: the BiH Legal Framework
The Local Legislative Framework
Policing the Ultras
The Legacy of the Conflict: Poor Stadium Infrastructures
Football Banning Orders
Pyrotechnics, Drugs and the Security Firms
Football Supporter Liaison Officers
Conclusion
6. Conclusions
Alberto Testa, Massimiliano Maidano, Hadidža Borović
Biography
Alberto Testa is a Criminologist and a Far-Right expert. Alberto is currently a Professor of Applied Criminology and a full member of the Association of British Investigators. Dr Testa is also a specialist in applied behaviour analysis (deception/credibility), forensic interviewing and cyber intelligence analysis. In all his studies, Dr Testa uses a covert ethnographic approach so evidence is validated by direct experience from the “field”. In 2021, Alberto was elected Fellow by the Council of the prestigious Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. He is the author of the book Football, Fascism and Fandom. The UltraS of Italian Football. Widely considered an expert on far-right extremism/terrorism and far-right hooliganism, Alberto is a regular media contributor. He has contributed to a wide range of media including the Washington Post; the New York Times; BBC; LBC Radio; Sky News; CNN; CBS; the Voice of America and many others.
Massimiliano Maidano is an academic who holds a PhD in Sociology/Criminology from City, University of London. He has devoted his research career to examining the inter-ethnic relations and correlation between sport violence in the former Yugoslavia, particularly in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. He has also published articles and books on these subjects. Throughout his career, Dr Maidano has lectured on various courses, including sport and diplomacy, violence prevention, and globalisation in both English and Italian higher education institutions. In addition to his academic pursuits, he has played rugby and collaborated with UNICEF UK On Campus. He has been interviewed by various international sports media outlets about the intersections between football, hooliganism and politics.
Hadidža Borović holds a Master of Arts degree in South-Eastern European Studies from the University of Graz. With a focus on extremism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), she oversaw a research portfolio at a department at IOM BiH, investigating ethno-nationalist extremism, sources of narrative dissemination, and the links between corruption and extremism. Currently, she is dedicated to addressing human trafficking and migrant smuggling issues in BiH and the Western Balkans. She was part of the research team investigating extremism among Ultras in BiH from 2019-20, establishing local contacts, conducting interviews, and offering insights into the local socio-political context. Her primary research interests include youth radicalisation, exploring alternative methods to challenge extremist ideologies, and examining the role of emerging technologies and digitalisation in countering these phenomena.
