Simon Ings

Sports fans are rarely shamed for being overzealous

In his ‘journey into the psychology of belonging’, Michael Bond focuses on the positive side of tribalism, leaving its darker aspects mostly unexplored

A Uruguay football fan cheers his team at the Italy vs. Uruguay final in the FIFA U-20 World Cup at La Plata stadium, Argentina this month. [Getty Images]
  • Comments

  • Fans: A Journey into the Psychology of Belonging

    Michael Bond

    Picador, pp. 256, £20

Already a subscriber? Log in

This article is for subscribers only

Subscribe today to get 3 months' delivery of the magazine, as well as online and app access, for only £3.

There’s no commitment, you can cancel any time.

  • Weekly delivery of the magazine
  • Unlimited access to our website and app
  • Enjoy Spectator newsletters and podcasts
  • Explore our online archive, going back to 1828

Read next

Trending

Peter Elson

Liverpool is trashing its maritime history

Three subjects are branded onto the Liverpool psyche: football, music and seafaring. While the first two remain in rude health, maritime matters have long taken a dive in the city – even though shipping is the very reason Liverpool became the second city of the British Empire. Instead of preserving Liverpool’s seafaring history, National Museums

Because you read about celebrities

Also by Simon Ings

Latest

Comments

A blooming good offer

Join the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting the next 3 months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in