Why do competitive sports and games elicit so much violence from their fans?

174 people dead and 180 people injured in a stampede in Indonesia over a football match.
I think some weeks ago Hindus in UK were being attacked following a cricket match.

Why are people so identified with a team that they resort to such violence against other humans?

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dancingtongue · 80-89, M

It is just an extreme form of tribalism: you have no choice as to race, ethnicity, (or to a lesser extent the country, religion) you are born into, but you pretty much choose the sports team you root for. So those who tend to become intolerant, rabid believers in "my way is the only true way", are even more so.

SW-User

@dancingtongue ah. Some form of control in their lives? Interesting point.