How Could Online Football Hooliganism Impact the Workplace During the Euros Tournament?

by Aimée Cartwright

When we hear reports of aggression between football fans, we often 'other’ these individuals in an effort to distance ourselves.

Did you know that most football hooligans are ‘not particularly dysfunctional’ outside of the sport?

We forget that the same people who trigger violence at UEFA Euro matches may go home to a loving family and a stable job. The same people we are ‘othering’ could be our own acquaintances, colleagues or employees.

Turning a blind eye to football hooliganism simply because you haven’t witnessed it first hand is detrimental to your workforce. While some employees may express their passion for the men’s national teams in a healthy way, others could be tarnishing your reputation online by following discriminatory pages, engaging in aggressive arguments, or sharing abusive content.

Without performing online background checks, can you be certain that your staff members’ behaviour at work will not be influenced by their attitude to the 2024 Euros?

Scottish teacher Donna Gilchrist lasted just 18 days in her job as an English teacher before being sacked for exposing her students to football hooliganism media. The education professional was also alleged to endorse the use of the n-word in lessons, which demonstrates how identifying one inappropriate behaviour often unearths a dangerous pattern.

These patterns do not only risk a company’s reputation, but they can also create hostility between staff members due to prejudiced views. Don’t allow online hooliganism, racism and harassment driven by the Euros undo your organisation’s success in meeting diversity targets.

Ultimately, dismissing football hooliganism as someone else’s problem is a mistake many employers come to regret. Protect your reputation and your company culture by being proactive about online abuse in the UEFA European football championship.

Using Social Media Checks to Protect Your Company’s Reputation in Euro 2024

The countless instances of online football hooliganism should be enough to convince any employer to professionally investigate their candidates’ online presence. If not, let these statistics do the talking.

The 2022/23 football season brought 1,007 reports of discriminatory behaviour, a 65.1% increase compared to the previous season. Each year, this figure continues to increase, with Everton striker Neal Maupay stating online abuse in football is “100% worse” in 2024 than it was just a few years ago.

To tackle this abuse successfully, we need to go straight to the source. Compliant Social Media Checks carried out by Social Intelligence Officers allow employers to be informed of inappropriate patterns of behaviour lurking on their candidates’ social media profiles.

Experts in online background checks investigate posts, likes, shares, connections, media articles, and hundreds of other data points, allowing them to understand each candidates’ behaviour – including football hooliganism – in context.

With the FA providing funding to the police for tackling online abuse, it’s clear that those close to the major tournament understand the ramifications of neglecting Social Media Checks. Now, it’s time for employers to get on board.

Conclusion

Despite preventative measures taken by the FA, football hooliganism is already making its mark on the 2024 UEFA European tournament, particularly on social media.

Employers must understand that this does not only stir up trouble on the sidelines, but also in the workplace. Without comprehensive online research, no employer can be certain that their workforce is risk-free.

Let’s not leave the fight against football hooliganism to the FA. Take a stand against abuse by implementing ethical Social Media Checks into your recruitment processes during UEFA Euro 2024.