Shamurzaev T.T.
Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B.N. Yeltsin, Bishkek

Ardashev R.G.
East Siberian Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk
 

Keywords: sports, fans, aggression, violence, hostility, competition.

Introduction. In sports activities, the spirit of competition is present a priori. Therefore, there is a need to ensure social security and organize pro-social activities that can counter various extremist manifestations [1, 2].
The purpose of this study is to identify the features of preventing extremist actions at sports competitions.
Research methodology and organization. A total of 650 people participated in the survey, including 550 athletes participating in competitions at various levels, 50 coaches, and 50 organizers of sports competitions. Of these, 60% were women and 40% were men. The respondents were recruited through sports federations, allowing for the inclusion of representatives from various sports disciplines. The research method employed was a questionnaire survey.
The results of the study and their discussion. The revealed data show that the sports environment is not only capable of creating spectacular events, but it can also attract criminal elements to sports-related processes and projects. This is a catalyst for the emotionally charged state of fans to be easily exploited by criminal elements for their own purposes.
Under the guise of mass fan riots, real-life crimes can occur, which undermines the value of sports competitions and the emotional state of fans (42%).
Moreover, the social uncertainty of public development creates tension and emotional outbursts among sports fans, which can lead to acts of aggression and mass violence not only among fans but also among ordinary citizens who witness the aggressive behavior of fans and supporters (35%). Public sentiment requires control and monitoring, as any gathering of people in these conditions can trigger riots, protests, and active confrontation with the authorities.
In addition, the personal and individual psychological characteristics of individual fans can lead to the organization of extremist activities (23%). This can be either a direct need for violence (a mental issue that requires medical treatment and supervision) or a way to express oneself (a way to gain attention) – a psychological issue that requires the attention of family and friends, as well as psychologists and social workers. In both cases, sports competitions serve as an arena for expressing one's own addictive behavior.
Conclusions. Extremism in sports is a consequence of the lack of legal protection, the organization of social security at mass events, and the personal unfulfillment of individual citizens. The combination of legal, social, and psychological factors creates a socially tense environment. This is a potentially dangerous phenomenon, as it can be exploited by terrorist organizations to disrupt social security and create social threats. Therefore, further monitoring of this phenomenon will serve as a basis for preventing and mitigating extremism in sports competitions.

References

1. Ardashev, R.G. and Shamurzaev, T.T. (2024) 'Profilaktika sportivnogo ekstremizma' [Prevention of sports extremism], Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoi kultury, 11, p. 76.
2. Polyushkevich, O.A. and Ivanov, R.V. (2023) 'Prosotsialnye praktiki v sportivnoi deyatelnosti' [Prosocial practices in sports activities], Teoriya i praktika fizicheskoi kultury, 2, p. 50.