Association football culture

Fans are seen on the stands during the Russian Premier-League soccer match between Khimki and Rostov Rostov-on-Don, in Khimki, outside Moscow, Russia.

Russia’s new Fan ID law seen as new form of authoritarian surveillance

Ukraine

​​​​​​​In Russia, in order to attend soccer matches in the country’s Premier League, fans now need to present a “Fan ID.” The state says it’s about public safety and security. But Russian soccer fans aren’t buying it. 

A baseball player watches a foul ball go into stands filled with photos of fans.

Can artificial crowd noise match the thrill of packed stadiums?

Sports
Supporters of other Turkish soccer teams rally in support of Carsi soccer fans Tuesday morning outside the Istanbul Palace of Justice.

These Turkish soccer fans are not cheering on their government right now

Global Politics

Will Racist Soccer Hooligans Tarnish Euro 2012?

The World

Racism in Soccer

Sports
The World

Can a sports fan go too far? The psychology of fans and super-fans

Sports

Edward Hirt, psychology professor at The University of Indiana at Bloomington, says there are a lot of psychological benefits to rooting for the team. But he also warns that going to any extreme in life can be unhealthy.

The World

Sounding the vuvuzela

Arts, Culture & Media

World Cup fever is officially spiking well over 98 degrees Fahrenheit. You can feel it, and you can hear it. If you can’t hear World Cup fever, you’re probably deaf. The love hate relationship with the vuvuzela on today’s show.