Keywords:
Football; Anthropology of Sport; Ethnography; Social Dynamics
Abstract:
Football is a complex sociocultural phenomenon capable of transcending its purely sporting dimensions, configuring itself as a significant locus for research that unveils intricate networks of human flows, ethical and political issues surrounding its practice, and its implications on and off the field. Anthropology is one of the fields of knowledge dedicated to understanding football. Its distinctive feature is enabling close and insider analyses, particularly from an ethnographic perspective, resulting in more detailed and specific ethnographies of this complex phenomenon. Engaging in an "Anthropology of Football" involves reexamining anthropological categories from fresh perspectives and ethnographic contexts. The resultant body of work delves into discussions on identities, nationalism, religiosity, gender, sexualities, race, social class, disability, intersectionality, art, state, myth, ritual, and more. These categories manifest in the inherent dynamics of the football universe. Anthropology also sheds light on players' and fans' narratives and experiences, emphasizing economic impacts on match locations and intricate relationships within clubs, among footballers, and the surrounding communities. This panel aspires to unite works discussing the world's most popular sport as a prolific ethnographic research field, interweaving with various social, cultural, and economic dimensions. Encouraging innovative approaches, including ethnographic case studies, critical analyses, and theoretical reflections, we aim to stimulate interdisciplinary dialogues and foster idea exchange. Through these efforts, we seek to deepen our comprehension of football as a reflection of contemporary social dynamics.