Football, identity and nationalism: A sociological analysis of ‘Tractor’ fan culture
Yazarlar (1)
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Alper KASIMOĞLU Yalova Üniversitesi, Türkiye
Makale Türü Özgün Makale (SSCI, AHCI, SCI, SCI-Exp dergilerinde yayınlanan tam makale)
Dergi Adı International Review for the Sociology of Sport (Q1)
Dergi ISSN 1012-6902 Dergi Bilgileri (2026)
Dergi Tarandığı Indeksler SSCI
Makale Dili İngilizce Basım Tarihi 09-2026
Cilt / Sayı / Sayfa 61 / 6 / 1587–1606 DOI 10.1177/10126902251386066
Makale Linki https://doi.org/10.1177/10126902251386066
UAK Araştırma Alanları
Siyaset Sosyolojisi Kültür Sosyolojisi
Özet
This article examines supporter practices surrounding Tractor Football Club among Azerbaijani Turks in Iran, focusing on ethnic identity, nationalism and social solidarity. Grounded in theories of nationalism and social movements, the study investigates how these practices intersect with collective representation, everyday nationalism and social integration in an authoritarian context. Drawing on in-depth qualitative interviews with 35 supporters, the analysis shows that fandom commonly serves to sustain cultural belonging and identity, while a minority views it in primarily sporting terms. A gendered pattern is evident: uneven stadium access has led many women to sustain participation in domestic and digital spaces, semi-public and safer avenues for participation beyond the terraces. Overall, in Iran's authoritarian and multi-ethnic setting, football functions as an alternative social sphere in which identity and solidarity …
Anahtar Kelimeler
Football | fan culture | ethnic identity | nationalism | Iran
BM Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Atıf Sayıları
Google Scholar 4
Football, identity and nationalism: A sociological analysis of ‘Tractor’ fan culture