FANS, BANTERS AND HATE !

Every sport, whether it's football, cricket or basketball where the role of fan groups is important, involve conflicts.

The basic human nature is to deny everything which is of different opinion,

on emotional issues mind is sidelined by the heart.

This can be seen, on match days especially in the game of football.

This conflict can increase on certain levels, as we have seen that matches got abandoned due to the  fights and lose of lives.

This is all due to the passion which is necessary but when it's over, things get scary.

In the aspect of the Indian football, this rivalry is very much there.

Especially when it came to the hubs of football, Kolkata and Goa.

Mohun Bagan A.C. and East Bengal FC were the flag bearers of this.

Thousands of people in the stadiums showing contrasting emotions on every goal scored, is joy to watch.

The atmosphere is astonishing.

With the advent of the technology, the engagement of fan groups have increased on the social media.

From verified pages to small groups, every one expressing his emotions and views.

But, with this the chances of conflict are more as it can go on even beyond the match days and the stadiums.

A press away from engagement, people tend to engage more aggressively when challanged and when their team loses.

This often leads to unwanted negativity and targetted harassment.We have seen this in the past, where clubs was fined for it's fans behaviour in the Indian Super League.

But, often people get away with out being punished as the majority of views deny the justification of right or wrong.

It is often decided on the number of fans favouring one and thus resulting in the injustice.

Where the problem lies? 

The problem lies when people can't take any criticism, any general comment.

They get hyper and start abusing, which creates the environment of misery.

The instances of the abuse, on rival fans, commentators, journalists, refrees should always be criticised.

But, the problem is that people find excuses to defend such behaviour, many don't criticize it but blame on other people.

Thus the atmosphere becomes negative and often unhealthy for the true growth of the football.

Indian football already having a fragile existence, is too weak to adjust this negativity.

As many fan groups, when it comes to the national sphere becomes inactive.

Many engage in trolling of national players, even Sunil Chhettri is not immune to it.

Which is very shocking, a player of his stature only deserve to be loved, respected.

His criticism was well warranted due to poor form but abuse is not.

The comments of the commentators recived critical acceptance.

As many agreed, many denied but mostly said he will do well in the future matches.

The intolerance of taking someone's view when they criticise or say anything against favourite player is poor.

Then the group start targetting that individual by sharing the screenshots in the groups, making more people add to that view.

This often burdens that person with negative thoughts and he/she either deletes the account or the tweet.

Having came across of such incidents, it is clear that a lot to be improved so such scenarios don't happen again.

Nothing against passion !

Having said all this, nothing is against the passion which is soul of every sport.

The fans make the game alive and players feel home.

This can be seen with many players coming in India and leaving teary eyed.

This shows the real connect which fans have brought in this small Indian football ecosystem.

But the problem is, the selective outrage, mocking and abuse which makes the toxic.

Affected people share their experiences, more people join them and the cycle of repeated abuse from every side.

Duty of the fans !

Fans have the responsibility to support their team especially in these tough situations.

But, the support should be sensible.

Every action is bound to have criticism of some kind but we should take it in positive way and rather allow player, team to respond by their game.

There is a lot to do in this direction but we should work together to remove the faults otherwise pitting against each other only create a void which is very difficult to remove.