Perception of critical situations involving football fans: dynamics of conflict escalation and de-escalation

Title: The perception of critical situations involving football fans – how conflicts escalate or de-escalate Authors: Brechbühl, A.1, Schumacher, A.1 & Seiler, R.1 1Institute of Sport Science, University of Bern, Switzerland Abstract: Introduction: Fan violence in the context of football matches is a prominent issue in today’s western societies and Switzerland presents no exception. A lot of research has been conducted on reasons for fan violence, mostly with fans of national teams. A prominent model is the Elaborated Social Identity Model (ESIM; Drury & Reicher, 2000): ESIM highlights the importance of interactions between the involved groups and their effect on the development of social identities. Another model is the aggravation mitigation model (AM model; Hylander & Guvå, 2010) which illustrates factors that can contribute towards an escalation or non-escalation of group violence, such as the “categorization” of the opponent group. Despite these models, research about the individual perceptions, and in particular, what factors distinguish between an escalation versus a non-escalation of a potentially violent situation in domestic football, is as yet scarce. This explorative study examines perceptions of critical situations in the domestic football fan context in Switzerland. Methods: An explorative qualitative design was employed to gather data about critical situations (CS) around football matches of two clubs of the Raiffeisen Super League. A CS is defined as a setting in or around the football stadium where violence between football fans and another group could occur. Eight CS were identified and analysed. Fifty-nine narrative interviews with individuals involved in a CS, e.g. fans, police officers or security personnel, were conducted. Interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: The involved opposing groups expressed group-specific perceptions. Furthermore a strong tendency to negatively stereotype the opponent group was observed. Provocative symbols, such as balaclavas or riot-gear uniforms, were considered as highly relevant for the interpretation of the situation. Successful communication and sufficient distance between opponent groups supported the appeasement of a CS. These findings also underline the importance of knowledge about the local fan culture. This culture serves as basis for the perception of legitimacy, which was assessed to be essential for a de-escalation of a CS by fans. Discussion/Conclusion: This study improves the understanding of fan violence in the domestic football context in Switzerland. Based on the results it is suggested to deploy security or police forces without riot gear but with the goal of seeking dialogue with the fans to increase the likelihood of a peaceful ending in a CS. The findings also support the applicability of the ESIM (Drury & Reicher, 2000) and the AM model (Hylander & Guvå, 2010) in the context of domestic fan violence. Due to possible differences in the local fan cultures in Switzerland, research in this area should be continued. References: Drury, J., & Reicher, S. (2000). Collective action and psychological change: The emergence of new social identities. British Journal of Social Psychology, 39, 579-604. Hylander, I., & Guvå, G. (2010). Misunderstanding of out-group behaviour: Different interpretations of the same crowd events among police officers and demonstrators. Nordic Psychology, 62, 25-47.

"Mir hei e Verein, i ghöre drzue" - Vereine in der Welterbe-Region

Clubs and societies offer a space for fun and games, sports, and cultural activities. But they do far more than that. They are important places of social identity building. By bringing different people together, they foster social cohesion and integration. And last but not least, they contribute to democratic culture. What kinds of associations exist in and around the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage site, and what do they do?

Post mortem computed tomography and core needle biopsy in comparison to autopsy in eleven bernese mountain Dogs with histiocytic sarcoma

Background: Bernese mountain dogs are reported to have a shorter life expectancy than other breeds. A Major reason for this has been assigned to a high tumour prevalence, especially of histiocytic sarcoma. The efforts made by the breeding clubs to improve the longevity with the help of genetic tests and breeding value estimations are impeded by insufficiently reliable diagnoses regarding the cause of death. The current standard for post mortem examination in animals is performance of an autopsy. In human forensic medicine, imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are used with increasing frequency as a complement to autopsy. The present study investigates, whether post mortem computed tomography in combination with core needle biopsy is able to provide a definitive diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma. For this purpose we have analysed the results of post mortem computed tomography and core needle biopsy in eleven Bernese mountain dogs. In the subsequent autopsy, every dog had a definitive diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma, based on immunohistochemistry. Results: Computed tomography revealed space-occupying lesions in all dogs. Lesion detection by post mortem computed tomography was similar to lesion detection in autopsy for lung tissue (9 cases in computed tomography / 8 cases in autopsy), thoracic lymph nodes (9/8), spleen (6/7), kidney (2/2) and bone (3/3). Hepatic nodules, however, were difficult to detect with our scanning protocol (2/7). Histology of the core needle biopsies provided definitive diagnoses of histiocytic sarcoma in ten dogs, including confirmation by immunohistochemistry in six dogs. The biopsy samples of the remaining dog did not contain any identifiable neoplastic cells. Autolysis was the main reason for uncertain histological diagnoses. Conclusions: Post mortem computed tomography is a fast and effective method for the detection of lesions suspicious for histiocytic sarcoma in pulmonary, thoracic lymphatic, splenic, osseous and renal tissue. Optimization of the procedure regarding the scanning protocol and tissue sample size and number will improve the accuracy of the method. Keywords: Post mortem computed tomography, Core needle biopsy, Bernese mountain dog, Histiocytic sarcoma, Autopsy

Der demokratische Club in Berlin: Der politische Club hat in der Sitzung am 21. Mai seinen Namen abgelegt ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Reorganisation des Demokratischen Clubs Berlin; seine Ziele und Statuten

Bekanntmachung: Mitbürger! Ein dunkles Gerücht ist uns gestern abend zu Ohren gekommen ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Ironisierende Kommentierung der Anordnungen des durch General von Wrangel am Vortag verhängten Belagerungszustandes über Berlin, als da sind: Schließung von Clubs und Vereinen, Verbot öffentlicher Versammlungen, Verbot des Drucks und Aushangs von Plakaten, Zeitungen und Schriften, Aufenthaltsverbot für und Entwaffnung von Ortsfremden, Auflösung der Bürgerwehr, Entwaffnung von unbefugt Waffen tragenden Zivilpersonen. Aufruf Waches zur Ignorierung der Anordnungen und zum Widerstand gegen das Vorgehen des Militärs

An meine deutschen Mitbrüder! Freunde! Wehmuthsvoll und erschüttert betrat ich seit einer Abwesenheit von 11 Jahren unser theures Berlin ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Empfehlung des Constitutionellen Clubs: Die Anarchie zeitigt bereits jetzt ihre verderblichen Auswirkungen auf das Wirtschaftsleben; den Nutzen davon hat nur der britische Handelskonkurrent. Warnung vor der Republik und Anpreisung der konstitutionellen Monarchie, mit der Großbritannien gut gefahren ist. Aufruf, sich dem Constitutionellen Club anzuschließen und demokratische bzw. republikanische Versammlungen zu meiden

Hohes Ministerium: Der constitutionelle Club sieht sich genöthigt, sein aufrichtiges Bedauern auszusprechen über den Erlaß vom 10. d. M. ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Protest des Constitutionellen Clubs Berlin gegen den Erlaß des Ministeriums Camphausen vom 10. Mai 1848, in dem der Prinz von Preußen zur Rückkehr nach Berlin aufgefordert wird

Brave Berliner! Ein Mitbürger, ein Mann aus der mit Euch so innig sympathiesirenden Provinz Rheinland wendet sich an Euch ...

Welsch (Projektbearbeiter): Das Ministerium Camphausen mag zwar nicht das Vertrauen des Berliner Politischen Clubs besitzen, aber um so mehr das der Bevölkerung Berlins sowie der preußischen Provinzen. Die Rückberufung des Prinzen von Preußen durch das Ministerium war eine politische Notwendigkeit, da dieser berechtigt ist, der Nationalversammlung beizuwohnen. Die Furcht vor "Usurpation und Reaction" ist unbegründet, nicht dagegen die vor der Anarchie, welche ein erzwungenener Rücktritt des Ministeriums nach sich zöge

Professionalisation of sports federations – A multi-level framework for analysing forms, causes and consequences

Introduction: International and national sports federations as well as their member organisations (usually sports clubs) are key actors within the sports system and have a wide range of relationships outside the sports system (e.g. with the state, sponsors, and the media). They are currently facing major challenges such as growing competition in top-­‐level sports, democratisation of sports with “sports for all” and sports as the answer to social problems (integration, education, health, unemployment, etc.). In this context, professionalising sports organisations seems to be an appropriate strategy to face these challenges and solve current problems. This has led to a profound organisational change, particularly within sports federations, characterised by the strengthening of institutional management (managerialism) and the implementation of efficiency-­‐based management instruments and paid staff. In this context the questions arise how sports organisations professionalise and what consequences this may have. Theoretical framework: The goal of our presentation is to review the international literature and develop an appropriate concept of professionalisation in sport federations. Our multi-­‐level approach based on social theory of action integrates the current concepts and perspectives for analysing professionalisation in sports federations. We specify the framework for the following research perspectives: (1) forms, (2) causes and mechanisms, (3) consequences and (4) dynamics, and discuss the reciprocal relations between sports federations and their member organisations in this context. When analysing these different research perspectives, it is important to select or elaborate appropriate theoretical concepts to match the general multi-­‐level framework Discussion: The elaborated multi-­‐level framework for analysing professionalisation in sports federations is able to integrate most of the existing theoretical concepts and therefore, the broad range of endogenous as well as exogenous factors that might influence the professionalisation of sports organisations. Based on the theoretical framework, we can identify several consequences for the methodological design of studies intending to analyse the different perspectives of professionalisation in sports organisations: Data have to be collected on the different levels. Not only the forms of professionalisation and relevant structures of the organisations should be taken into account but also important characteristics of the environment (macro level) as well as members or member organisations, particularly key actors who might play a crucial role in gaining an understanding of professionalisation processes in sports organisations. In order to carry out a complex organisational research design, it seems necessary to focus on case studies – an approach that has become increasingly important in organisational research. Different strategies and methods of data collection have to be used within the case studies (e.g. interviews with experts within the organisations, questionnaire for selected people in the organisation, document analysis). Therefore, qualitative and quantitative research strategies have to be combined.

Causes, forms and consequences of the professionalization of international sport federa-tions in Switzerland: Conceptual framework and first results

Synopsis: Sport organisations are facing multiple challenges originating from an increasingly complex and dynamic environment in general, and from internal changes in particular. Our study seeks to reveal and analyse the causes for professionalization processes in international sport federations, the forms resulting from it, as well as related consequences. Abstract: AIM OF ABSTRACT/PAPER - RESEARCH QUESTION Sport organisations are facing multiple challenges originating from an increasingly complex and dynamic environment in general, and from internal changes in particular. In this context, professionalization seems to have been adopted by sport organisations as an appropriate strategy to respond to pressures such as becoming more “business-like”. The ongoing study seeks to reveal and analyse the internal and external causes for professionalization processes in international sport federations, the forms resulting from it (e.g. organisational, managerial, economic) as well as related consequences on objectives, values, governance methods, performance management or again rationalisation. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND/LITERATURE REVIEW Studies on sport as specific non-profit sector mainly focus on the prospect of the “professionalization of individuals” (Thibault, Slack & Hinings, 1991), often within sport clubs (Thiel, Meier & Cachay, 2006) and national sport federations (Seippel, 2002) or on organisational change (Griginov & Sandanski, 2008; Slack & Hinings, 1987, 1992; Slack, 1985, 2001), thus leaving broader analysis on governance, management and professionalization in sport organisations an unaccomplished task. In order to further current research on above-mentioned topics, our intention is to analyse causes, forms and consequences of professionalisation processes in international sport federations. The social theory of action (Coleman, 1986; Esser, 1993) has been defined as appropriate theoretical framework, deriving in the following a multi-level framework for the analysis of sport organisations (Nagel, 2007). In light of the multi-level framework, sport federations are conceptualised as corporative actors whose objectives are defined and implemented with regard to the interests of member organisations (Heinemann, 2004) and/or other pressure groups. In order to understand social acting and social structures (Giddens 1984) of sport federations, two levels are in the focus of our analysis: the macro level examining the environment at large (political, social, economic systems etc.) and the meso level (Esser, 1999) examining organisational structures, actions and decisions of the federation’s headquarter as well as member organisations. METHODOLOGY, RESEARCH DESIGN AND DATA ANALYSIS The multi-level framework mentioned seeks to gather and analyse information on causes, forms and consequences of professionalization processes in sport federations. It is applied in a twofold approach: first an exploratory study based on nine semi-structured interviews with experts from umbrella sport organisations (IOC, WADA, ASOIF, AIOWF, etc.) as well as the analysis of related documents, relevant reports (IOC report 2000 on governance reform, Agenda 2020, etc.) and important moments of change in the Olympic Movement (Olympic revenue share, IOC evaluation criteria, etc.); and secondly several case studies. Whereas the exploratory study seeks more the causes for professionalization on an external, internal and headquarter level as depicted in the literature, the case studies rather focus on forms and consequences. Applying our conceptual framework, the analysis of forms is built around three dimensions: 1) Individuals (persons and positions), 2) Processes, structures (formalisation, specialisation), 3) Activities (strategic planning). With regard to consequences, we centre our attention on expectations of and relationships with stakeholders (e.g. cooperation with business partners), structure, culture and processes (e.g. governance models, performance), and expectations of and relationships with member organisations (e.g. centralisation vs. regionalisation). For the case studies, a mixed-method approach is applied to collect relevant data: questionnaires for rather quantitative data, interviews for rather qualitative data, as well as document and observatory analysis. RESULTS, DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS With regard to causes of professionalization processes, we analyse the content of three different levels: 1. the external level, where the main pressure derives from financial resources (stakeholders, benefactors) and important turning points (scandals, media pressure, IOC requirements for Olympic sports); 2. the internal level, where pressure from member organisations turned out to be less decisive than assumed (little involvement of member organisations in decision-making); 3. the headquarter level, where specific economic models (World Cups, other international circuits, World Championships), and organisational structures (decision-making procedures, values, leadership) trigger or hinder a federation’s professionalization process. Based on our first analysis, an outline for an economic model is suggested, distinguishing four categories of IFs: “money-generating IFs” being rather based on commercialisation and strategic alliances; “classical Olympic IFs” being rather reactive and dependent on Olympic revenue; “classical non-Olympic IFs” being rather independent of the Olympic Movement; and “money-receiving IFs” being dependent on benefactors and having strong traditions and values. The results regarding forms and consequences will be outlined in the presentation. The first results from the two pilot studies will allow us to refine our conceptual framework for subsequent case studies, thus extending our data collection and developing fundamental conclusions. References: Bayle, E., & Robinson, L. (2007). A framework for understanding the performance of national governing bodies of sport. European Sport Management Quarterly, 7, 249–268 Chantelat, P. (2001). La professionnalisation des organisations sportives: Nouveaux débats, nouveaux enjeux [Professionalisation of sport organisations]. Paris: L’Harmattan. Dowling, M., Edwards, J., & Washington, M. (2014). Understanding the concept of professionalization in sport management research. Sport Management Review. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.smr.2014.02.003 Ferkins, L. & Shilbury, D. (2012). Good Boards Are Strategic: What Does That Mean for Sport Governance? Journal of Sport Management, 26, 67-80. Thibault, L., Slack, T., & Hinings, B. (1991). Professionalism, structures and systems: The impact of professional staff on voluntary sport organizations. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 26, 83–97.

Die Frühspezialisierung von Juniorennationalspielern im Fussball: Ein Vergleich zweier Generationen

Einleitung: Die Nachwuchsarbeit im Schweizer Fussball ist seit 1995 stark professionalisiert worden, was sich in den letzten 15 Jahren in mehrere internationale Erfolge niedergeschlagen hat. Im Hinblick auf den sportlichen Erfolg hat sich dabei gezeigt, dass sich die Karrieren der erfolgreichsten Schweizer Spieler, deren Förderung in die ersten Jahre dieser Professionalisierung fällt, bereits in der Sampling Phase (Coté, 1999) durch eine frühe Spezialisierung beschreiben lässt (Zibung & Conzelmann, 2013). Die Trainingsumfänge beinhalten v.a. Clubtraining und viel freies Spiel ausserhalb des Clubs oder fussballnahe andere sportliche Aktivitäten. In diesem Beitrag wird der Frage nachgegangen, inwiefern sich die in den folgenden Jahren nochmals akzentuierte Professionalisierung auf die sportlichen Karrieren der aktuellen Generation von talentierten Fussballspielern ausgewirkt hat. Methode: N = 32 Juniorennationalspieler mit mind. 1 Aufgebot in die U15 oder U16 Nationalmannschaft (Jg. 99; Stichprobe A) werden mit n = 151 ehemaligen Juniorennationalspielern (Jg. 81-87; Stichprobe B aus Zibung & Conzelmann, 2013) in Bezug auf relevante Indikatoren zur Frühspezialisierung verglichen. Dafür wurden die beiden Stichproben in Anlehnung an Zibung und Conzelmann (2013) mittels t-Tests (p < .05) bezüglich folgender Indikatoren für Frühspezialisierung verglichen: Alter beim Beginn freies Fussballspiel und beim ersten Clubeintritt, Trainingsstunden im Club, freies Fussballspiel sowie sportliche Aktivitäten neben dem Fussball (jeweils bis 12-jährig). Die Variablen wurden in beiden Studien retrospektiv per Fragebogen erfasst. Resultate: Die Spieler der jüngeren Generation haben bis 12 Jahre weniger Stunden frei Fussball gespielt (MA = 2016.6, SDA = 1107.1) als die Spieler der älteren Generation (MB = 2535.5, SDB = 1277.3) (t(50.1) = 2.34, p = .02, d = .66). Gleichzeitig haben sie neben dem Fussball weniger andere sportliche Aktivitäten aufzuweisen (t(68.0) = 2.53, p = .01, d = .61). In den Variablen Trainingsstunden im Club (MA = 923.0, SDA = 166.6; MB = 967.0, SDB = 287.1), Alter beim Beginn des freien Fussballspiels (MA = 4.08, SDA = 1.5; MB = 4.36, SDB = 1.2) und beim ersten Clubeintritt (MA = 5.75, SDA = 1.0; MB = 6.07, SDB = 1.3) unterscheiden sich die beiden Stichproben nicht. Diskussion: Der Vergleich der beiden Stichproben zeigt, dass es in den letzten 15 Jahren zu einer Veränderung der Trainingsumfänge von Juniorennationalspielern gekommen ist. Die aktuelle Generation von Juniorennationalspielern spielt neben dem Clubtraining weniger frei Fussball und betreibt aber auch weniger andere Sportarten als die Juniorennationalspieler vor 10-15 Jahren. Ob vermehrte schulische Anforderungen diesen Rückgang in der generellen sportlichen Aktivität verschulden, müsste in der Folge weiter untersucht werden. Ebenso bleibt offen, ob die Einschätzung der Stichprobe B, aufgrund des relativ langen Zeitraums, der zwischen der Erhebung und dem zu erfassenden Zeitraum liegt, zu einer Antwortverzerrung und damit einer Erhöhung der geschätzten Trainingsstunden geführt hat. Literatur: Côté, J. (1999). The influence of the family in the development of talent in sport. The Sport Psychologist, 13 (4), 395–417. Zibung, M. & Conzelmann, A. (2013). The role of specialisation in the promotion of young football talents: A person-oriented study. European Journal of Sport Science, 13 (5), 452–460.

Religious Identity and Consumption

Consumption choices assist in solving the problem of how to convey and recognize religious identities. In the communication of an identity, individuals use the knowledge embedded in consumption norms, which restrict the range of choices to a smaller set and abbreviate the required knowledge for encoding and decoding messages. Using this knowledge as a shared framework for understanding, individuals with religious beliefs can choose consumption items that would not only strengthen their beliefs but also help them express the intensity of their commitments to these beliefs. Because individuals and societies have different beliefs, norms, commitments, and expressive needs, consumption choice can help to express these differences. Our explanation contrasts with incentive-based approaches that view religious consumption norms as solutions to free-rider problem inherent in clubs.

Does parental monitoring influence the use of alcohol and drugs among inner city 7th grade students?

Objective. To examine associations between parental monitoring and adolescent alcohol/drug use. ^ Methods. 981 7th grade students from 10 inner-city middle schools were surveyed at the 3 month follow-up of an HIV, STD, and pregnancy prevention program. Data from 549 control subjects were used for analyses. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine associations between five parental monitoring variables and substance use, coded as: low risk [never drank alcohol or used drugs (0)], moderate risk [drank alcohol, no drug use (1)], and high risk [both drank alcohol and used drugs or just used drugs (2)]. ^ Results. Participants were 58.3% female, 39.6% African American, 43.8% Hispanic, mean age 13.3 years. Lifetime alcohol use was 47.9%. Lifetime drug use was 14.9%. Adjusted for gender, age, race, and family structure, each individual parental monitoring variable (perceived parental monitoring, less permissive parental monitoring, greater supervision (public places), greater supervision (teen clubs), and less time spent with older teens) was significant and protective for the moderate and high risk groups. When all 5 variables were entered into a single model, only perceived parental monitoring was significantly associated (OR=0.40, 95% CI 0.29-0.55) for the moderate risk group. For the high risk group, 3 variables were significantly protective (perceived parental monitoring OR=0.28, CI 0.18-0.42, less time spent with older teens OR=0.75, CI 0.60-0.93, and greater supervision (public places) OR=0.79, CI 0.64-0.99). ^ Conclusion. The association between parental monitoring and substance abuse is complex and varied for different risk levels. Implications for intervention development are addressed. ^