The role of soccer and identity in Egyptian society: fans and players

ABSTRACT

In Egyptian society, soccer serves as a powerful platform for the expression of national, regional, and individual identities. This study explores the interplay between soccer, identity formation, and societal factors, shedding light on how fans and players shape and are shaped by their involvement in the game. It explores how soccer has become a platform for Egyptians to express their patriotic fervour, regional affiliations, and political ideologies. The paper also explores the experiences of Egyptian soccer professionals and their engagement with identity formation. It investigates how players navigate the complexities of representing their clubs, regions, and country while maintaining personal identity. Understanding the role of identity in Egyptian soccer has implications for stakeholders, including players, fans, policymakers, sports organizations, and advertisers. Recognizing the significance of identity promotes strategies that leverage the emotional connections fans have with their teams and players, leading to meaningful fan engagement and driving positive social change.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Al-Ahly and Al-Zamalek are the two main club soccer teams in Egypt and are often considered rivals given their competition. The question above asks which team a person supports, ‘Al-Ahly or Al-Zamalek?’ referencing the longstanding rivalry.

2. Al-Dosari, ‘Sport and International Relations’.

3. Ibid., 147.

4. Cha, ‘Role of Sport in International Relations’.

5. Al-Arian, ‘Beyond Soft Power’.

6. Ibid.

7. Ibid.

8. Ibid.

9. Gibril, ‘Football and Politics in Egypt’, 362.

10. The Cairo Derby is rivalry game between Al-Ahly and Al-Zamalek hosted twice in each soccer season. The first competition was in February 1917.

11. Hawkey, Feet of the Chameleon.

12. Ibid.

13. Dorsey, ‘Pitched Battles’.

14. Darby, Africa, Football and FIFA.

15. Ibid.

16. Alwan, بالفيديو| زمالك108. ‘قاهرالأجانب’ يسطرالتاريخمععمالقةأوروبا.

17. Darby, Africa, Football and FIFA.

18. Ibid.

19. Al-Arian, ‘Beyond Soft Power’, 50.

20. Hawkey, Feet of the Chameleon.

21. Al Mistaki, Al-Nadial-Ahli 1907–1997.

22. Ibid.

23. Dorsey, ‘Pitched Battles’, 55.

24. Ultras as a concept originated in Italy, but it is used worldwide to describe predominantly organized fans of association football teams, where zeal can be pivoted to organize around sociopolitical issues. Ultras exist across six continents. See Pantelick, ‘Fanaticism and the “Ultras” Movement’.

25. Dorsey, ‘Pitched Battles’.

26. Ganji, ‘The Rise of Sportswashing’, 63.

27. Ibid.

28. Ibid.

29. Ibid., 65.

30. Ganji, ‘The Rise of Sportswashing’.

31. IRIS, Football, diplomacy and identity politics in the Middle East and North Africa, Interview with Dr Mahfoud Amara.

32. Ibid.

33. Epicenter, The Politics of Sports, 12.

34. Epicenter, The Politics of Sports.

35. Platt, ‘Athlete activism is on the rise, but so is the backlash’.

36. Ibid.

37. Weir and Hougham. ‘Mohamed Aboutrika’.

38. Ibid.

39. Ismail, ‘Egyptian soccer player punished for “sympathize with Gaza” shirt, double standards?’.

40. ‘Egypt’s election produces surprise runner-up: Mohamed Salah’.

41. Ismail, ‘Egyptian soccer player punished for “sympathize with Gaza” shirt, double standards?’.

42. Aubrie Direct, تكريم ‘محمدأبوتريكة’ فيحفلمسابقةالكرةالذهبيةالجزائرية, 2.

43. ‘Egypt’s election produces surprise runner-up: Mohamed Salah’.

44. ‘Algerian fans chant for Egypt’s Aboutrika during African Cup win’.

45. Weir and Hougham. ‘Mohamed Aboutrika’.

46. Onjili et al., ‘Mohamed Aboutrika’.

47. MEMRI TV. ‘Qatar’s BeIn Sports commentator Mohamed Aboutrika: Separation of politics and sports is a lie invented by the West, applied using double standards’.

48. Loanes, ‘Qatar’s Anti-LGBTQ Policies, Explained’.

49. BBC News, النجم المصريمحمدأبوتريكةيثيرالجدلبتصريحاتعنالمثليةالجنسية.

50. Loanes, ‘Qatar’s Anti-LGBTQ Policies, Explained’.

51. Sandesh, ‘Mesut Ozil was dismissed from Germany’s national team for condemning China’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims’.

52. Honigstein, ‘How Mesut Ozil was caught in the crossfire of Germany’s “Moral hypocrisy” row’.

53. Alrababa’h et al., ‘Can Exposure to Celebrities Reduce Prejudice?’, 1.

54. Al-Jazeera, ‘“I’ll be Muslim too”’.

55. Alrababa’h, ‘Can Exposure to Celebrities Reduce Prejudice?’, 1111.

56. Alrababa’h, ‘Can Exposure to Celebrities Reduce Prejudice?’.

57. Ibid., 1112.

58. Ibid., 1112.

59. Alrababa’h, ‘Can Exposure to Celebrities Reduce Prejudice?’.

60. Ibid., 1112.

61. Friend, ‘Mo Salah’.

62. ‘Video’.

63. ‘Liverpool Star Mohamed Salah Donates a Generous Amount to Rebuild the Abu Sefein Church in Cairo’.

64. Ibid.

65. Hughes, ‘In the face of poisonous politics and shifting perceptions, Mohamed Salah walks a dangerous path’.

66. ‘Egypt’s election produces surprise runner-up’.

67. Al- Arian, ‘Beyond Soft Power’.

68. Ibid.

69. Ibid.

70. Pseudonyms are used for study participants to promote anonymity and candid responses.