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Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Study finds football fan rituals can create emotional mob mentality
By Stephen Beech Football fans get more emotional in pre-match rituals than during the actual game, suggests new research. The study of Brazilian football supporters showed that the intense feelings of joy, unity and excitement that fans experience can be less about the game and more about coming together. The only time fans' emotions exceeded the "high" of the pre-match gathering was when their team scored a goal, according to the findings. The study was led by Dimitris Xygalatas, a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Connecticut and a lifelong soccer fan. Xygalatas says that when his hometown team PAOK won the Greek Super League for the first time in 34 years in 2019, he cried tears of joy, adding: "Not what you might call a rational organism's behavior." But his emotional reaction was in keeping with the findings of the study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Xygalatas said: "Rituals are the kinds of things that, at first glance, don't make any sense in terms of human behavior, but are deeply meaningful to people." With the cooperation of die-hard Brazilian footie fans, Xygalatas and his team tracked the physiological arousal of fans before, during, and after a state championship final in Minas Gerais between local rival clubs. Using wearable heart monitors, they measured the emotional reactions of fans during the ritual of Rua de Fogo - "Street of Fire" - during which crowds gather near the stadium to welcome the team's bus. As it arrives, fans light flares, smoke bombs, and fireworks, wave flags, and chant to boost team morale and unify supporters. The research team fitted participants with EKG monitors hidden beneath their clothing. The devices measured heart rate fluctuations, which is an indicator of emotional arousal, as fans participated in the pre-game celebration, entered the stadium, and watched the match unfold. The research team found that the levels of shared excitement, or what the scientists call "collective effervescence," peaked not during the match itself, but during the pre-game fan rituals. Only when the home team scored a goal did the physiological markers exceed the emotional high of the pre-match gathering. Xygalatas said, "What we see is that, in fact, the pre-game ritual generates more emotional synchrony than the game itself. "There's a single moment in the entire game when they have more collective emotional synchrony than the pre-game ritual, and that's when they scored a goal." The findings underscore Xygalatas' broader work to understand how ritual shapes human behavior and identity. He said, "Rituals are the kinds of things that, at first glance, don't make any sense in terms of human behavior, but are deeply meaningful to people." His previous research has taken him to remote firewalking ceremonies and intense religious festivals. But he said football offers a "unique laboratory" as it's a "global obsession" that's rich in ritual and pageantry, but largely free from political or religious ideology. The physiological data from the new study showed that the ritualistic gathering that happens before a ball is even kicked produced "sustained arousal levels" comparable to the game itself. Xygalatas said, "People attribute a lot of meaning to sports. "Sports generate billions and billions of dollars globally, and they take up so much of people's attention. "And the reason they do that is not just because of what's happening on the pitch. It's because of these ritualized interactions that occur among the fans." He says the implications of the findings may extend beyond sports as ritualized group behaviors, such as concerts, religious ceremonies, or political rallies, may "powerfully shape" people's emotions and even their beliefs. Xygalatas said, "By going to these events, we're actually shaping our beliefs. "So sports is not just an excuse for people to get together. It's a driver of identity." He recalled, as a young man growing up in Thessaloniki, Greece, how one day he was wearing his team's scarf in the wrong neighborhood when he was ambushed by four men and brutally attacked. Xygalatas said the incident echoes the fatal beating of a 19-year-old in his hometown years later, also over team allegiance. He said: "I felt a blow to my head from behind, and next thing I knew, there were four men beating me, kicking me on the head, everywhere. "The reason I was able to escape is that another group of men was turning the corner, wearing my insignia, so they chased them away." Xygalatas says football is the only sport that regularly leads to deadly violence, a fact that leagues and governing bodies such as FIFA should take seriously. He says it's in the best interest of clubs to strike a balance between building loyalty, which Europeans and South Americans are excellent at doing, and making it safe for people to participate in. However, Xygalatas is not advocating for less passion and he hopes his work helps people understand why they care so deeply in the first place. He added: "If we look at what makes us human, we realize that it's our ability and our need to derive meaning from things that seem meaningless." The post Study finds football fan rituals can create emotional mob mentality appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic star ‘to leave within 48 hours' despite Brendan Rodgers' efforts to keep him
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREG TAYLOR will END his six-year spell Celtic in the next 48 hours, according to reports. SunSport understands that Taylor has been considering a contract offer from Greek giants PAOK. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Greg Taylor looks to have played his last game for Celtic Credit: Alamy 2 He won a total of 11 trophies whilst at Parkhead Credit: Kenny Ramsay Scotland cap Taylor, 27, has been at Parkhead for six seasons after joining from Kilmarnock in a £1m deal on transfer deadline day in 2019. He was signed under Neil Lennon after Kieran Tierney had left for Arsenal that summer. And with the Hoops icon poised to officially return to his boyhood heroes in the coming weeks, Taylor will be heading out the door. According to The Celtic Way, Taylor's exit will be finalised within the next 48 hours. The Celtic left-back had several options to mull over as his contract with the Hoops ran down. PAOK emerged as serious contenders for Taylor and drew up a two-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months. PAOK technical director Christos Karipidis - the former Hearts defender - is driving the move. Karipidis is a big fan of the Hoops star and has been desperate to lure him to Thessaloniki. It's understood that Taylor, who recently became a father for the first time, needed time to assess the move after six years at Celtic. However PAOK didn't want to wait indefinitely and there have been other clubs in the mix for the left-back. Rangers fans react as 49ers takeover completed But now he looks set to embark on the next chapter of his career in Greece. Brendan Rodgers has always retained hope his full-back would stay and his Parkhead exit has yet to be confirmed. PAOK finished third in the Greek Super League last season and qualified for the Europa League, which they will enter at the third qualifying round stage. Dinamo Zagreb were the first club to be linked to Taylor and interest from MLS soon followed. He was even tipped for a blockbuster move to Rangers by SunSport's Kris Boyd at one point. If - or when - Taylor seals his move to Greece, he could soon find himself coming up against former boss Ange Postecoglou. The ex-Celtic manager is listed at 3/1 to join AEK Athens after being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur last week. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
The National
a day ago
- Sport
- The National
Greg Taylor's Celtic transfer exit timescale revealed
As per The Celtic Way, the Hoops left-back has agreed to join Greek side PAOK. The Scotland international - currently on holiday with his young family in Dubai - will sign a two-year contract in Greece, with a year's option to extend. Taylor was out of contract at the end of last season after running down his deal under Brendan Rodgers. Talks remained ongoing with the Scottish Premiership champions; however, an agreement over fresh terms could not be reached. So, Taylor will call time on his six-year stint in Glasgow by moving abroad for the first time in his career. The defender joined Celtic from Kilmarnock on transfer deadline day in August 2019. Neil Lennon sanctioned the £1m move for the left-back, who has gone on to win five league titles for Celtic, as well as three Scottish Cups and three League Cups. PAOK boss Razvan Lucescu had prioritised signing Taylor in the summer, and it looks like they have finally landed the 27-year-old on a free transfer.
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Snoop Dogg reveals new plans for Glasgow's Celtic Park
The 53-year-old hip-hop icon and longtime Celtic supporter said he wants to challenge the reputation of underwhelming stadium food by bringing high-quality burgers to the stands. In an interview with the Sunday Mail, he said: 'There has always been the opinion that food at sports stadiums is never good, but that ain't got to be the case. 'People know that Snoop is a cook, and I would love to bring a pop-up burger to a sports stadium to show fans that food at stadiums can be good. 'It's got to be Celtic Park, man, I mean, where else am I going to bring it?" READ MORE: Celtic's Greg Taylor 'agrees' PAOK deal but deadline set to overcome last hurdle Snoop, whose real name is Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr, described the secret to a great burger as being all in the preparation. He said: 'The secret to a good burger is the love in the preparation. "The ground beef has got to be mixed with some secret spices, then add a good quality cheese and some maple-cured bacon. 'The Celtic fans are gonna love it, and to make sure they are just right, Snoop is going to be serving them himself.' A self-confessed foodie, Snoop has appeared on numerous cooking shows alongside Martha Stewart and even authored a best-selling cookbook titled From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen. He's now set his sights on Scotland, revealing he hopes to open a restaurant in Glasgow with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The rap icon revealed: 'I have told him I want to open a restaurant with him, and maybe it might even be in Glasgow. 'For real – we are always swapping cooking tips, and I do mean swapping. 'It's not just one-way traffic, I send him tips as well – he respects Snoop as a chef." READ MORE: Major roads in Glasgow to close for 17 hours for Tour of Britain cycling final However, the California rapper has no plans to take the burger venture across the city to Celtic's rivals. When asked whether he'd consider bringing his burgers to Ibrox, Snoop replied: 'Am I going to bring my burgers to Rangers as well? Nah, I think we will give that a miss!' Celtic Park is already known for embracing bold flavours and street food innovation. In 2023, Smokey Trotters Kitchen, a popular Glasgow eatery from the Barras Market, served up Katsu Fries—chips topped with salt and chilli chicken, cheese, curry sauce, crispy onions, and coriander. Dishes like Scheme Poutine, loaded with haggis, cheese, crispy onions and peppercorn sauce, have also become fan favourites. Snoop, who last performed in Glasgow in 2023, has been a vocal supporter of Celtic since their run to the 2003 UEFA Cup Final, and this latest venture deepens his connection to the club and its fans.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Greg Taylor 'reaches' Celtic transfer exit decision as former Premier League striker gets Parkhead transfer pitch
Full back Taylor's contract in Glasgow's east end expired at the end of May Greg Taylor is reportedly one step closer to joining PAOK after agreeing contract terms with the Greek side. The defender is set to bring his six-year stay with Celtic to an end this summer, with the out-of-contract full back free to speak to other clubs. Brendan Rodgers had hoped to keep the Scotland international at Parkhead by offering him a new contract, but with Kieran Tierney sealing his sensational Hoops return next month, the 27-year-old looks set to move on in search of guaranteed first team football. Reports in Greece had claimed that PAOK - who finished third in the Greek Super League last season - had set a deadline for Taylor to accept their contract proposal. But according to Sportdog, Taylor has now struck an agreement with the club after reaching an agreement over financial terms. They claim that the former Kilmarnock youngster is poised to pen a two-year deal with the Thessaloniki side, with the option of an additional year. However, the source adds that Taylor still needs to sit down with his family to get the greenlight for the move to the continent, having only given birth to a baby daughter with his partner in February. They do add however that PAOK are prepared to go the extra mile to ensure the left back feels welcomed at his new club. Elsewhere, Celtic have been tipped to sign ex Liverpool and Aston Villa star Danny Ings. The 32-year-old is set to leave West Ham on a free transfer at the end of the month and was tentatively linked to the Hoops back in January. And Parkead hero Frank McAvennie reckons Ings would be an adequate replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi, who left Celtic for Rennes in a £10million deal in the mid-season transfer window. Speaking to on the Let Me Be Frank podcast, he said: "He would be a great signing for Celtic. We never replaced Kyogo. They haven't replaced him. "Adam Idah is learning. I think he is going to be a wonderful player. Not near the finished article yet. But he is a great player. Looks like an honest boy. "I think so (there is a future for Idah at Celtic). See if you sign someone like Danny Ings. Danny won't play every game, which will mean Adam will come in. "And I don't want to play Maeda through the middle. I think he is better on the wing, although he scores a lot of goals. I think he is better out there. He terrifies people. "Danny Ings would come in and play, even if he played an hour. Get Adam on, that's the way it's going to be."
