"Do You Even Know What Offside is?" - Anthropological research on female Ajax fans

Abstract

Football is generally perceived as a male dominated space with masculine characteristics such as machismo, misogyny, and homophobia. Research in this field has mostly focussed on male football fans. In the Netherlands, there has not been any anthropological research conducted on football fans. This master thesis examines the feelings and behaviours of female fans of the Dutch football club Ajax, as well as the attitudes of male fans towards them. The existing literature indicates that female fans may feel excluded in a football fandom. This can result in the creation of alternative forms of fandom together with other female fans. During conversations with female Ajax fans, it became evident that female fans perceive the Ajax fandom as a masculine sphere. However, this is not seen as something negative, and it is seen as something they can accommodate to. These female fans feel a sense of belonging within the male-dominated Ajax fandom and feel accepted. However, some female fans have to prove their fandom to male fans, but once this is accomplished, they are seen as equal to male fans. Male fans confirm this. For the majority of these fans, gender does not matter; what matters most is their shared passion for Ajax. This common interest unites Ajax fans, creating a connection that can be described as ‘effervescence’. The research participants feel a sense of belonging within the stadium and within the community of Ajax fans.