The IfF explores the psychology and behaviour of sport fans worldwide, working with academics in sociology, politics, criminology and social psychology to understand the causes of violence, extremism and hooliganism in sport.

Working to develop and share knowledge of sport security and to understand supporters' behavior, ICSS output will be enhanced by the collaboration with IfF.

Mohammed Hanzab (pictured above), the President of ICSS, said: "This new project is another step towards the ICSS's goal of becoming a global hub for sport security expertise and I look forward to working with the team at the IfF in the coming months.

"With the spotlight falling on a number of fan-related incidents recently, this research will provide an important step in understanding sports fans around the world and what influence politics and society have on their behaviour today."


The International Sport Security Conference, being organised by the ICSS on March 14 and 15, will consider fan behaviour during its "Hosting Safe and Secure Sporting Events in New and Emerging Nations" session.

The announcement of the partnership comes less than a day after 74 supporters were killed following violence at an Egyptian Premier League game between Masry and al-Ahly (scene from the tragedy pictured above), which led to the indefinite suspension of the league – one of the highest profile recent incidents of supporter led violence.

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