Hate Speech and Hooligan Football from Online to Offline

Abstract

           Groups of football fans who are prone to using violence are often involved in incidents that occur either intentionally or after the end of a game. In some cases, these incidents even spread beyond the stadium. These fans, commonly referred to as hooligans, can significantly impact the decline of the football league in Thailand. Nowadays, Thai football fans primarily use social media as a platform for communication, unfortunately resorting to hate speech to generate animosity and insults towards opposing teams. This hate speech in social media has escalated into real-life violent behavior outside of the games, representing the third level of hate speech violence, which incites violence against specific target groups. It is crucial to raise awareness among football fans of the importance of accepting game outcomes and understanding that football is an activity meant for entertainment and relaxation, providing a release from the emotional tensions of everyday life. By doing so, we can reduce violence and foster a sense of friendship and unity, ensuring the continuous positive impact of football on Thai society. All stakeholders involved should proactively consider strategies to prevent hooligan fans from spreading their negative behavior on social media, as it could have long-term detrimental effects on the sport as a whole.