RESEARCH NOTE: Factors influencing misbehaviours of football fans in Malaysia

The presence of vast numbers of supporters at the stadium may produce a negative impact, especially in terms of safety as it is difficult for security officers to ensure that they all comply with the norms and regulations. This research discussed the patterns of football fans’ misbehavior in Malaysia and factors that influenced them based on a field survey of 600 fans of Kelantan, Johor, Selangor and Perak football teams. The findings revealed that the most common misbehaviors of football fans were verbal and physical such as shouting obscene words toward players and opponent fans and and engaging in provocative actions such as throwing objects onto the field and lighting flares. The main factors leading to these sometimes aggressive misconducts (hooliganism) were dissatisfactions with referees and defeat disappointments. As supporters they should exhibit professional attitudes and sportsmanship spirit.