FOOTBALL fans are challenging the way their clubs are being run according to University of Brighton researchers.

Researchers found football fans were mobilising to campaign against discrimination and have a say in the way their clubs are run.

Dr Mark Doidge, senior research fellow at Brighton University’s College of Social Sciences, used Liverpool as an example.

He said: “Earlier this year, thousands of Liverpool fans walked out of their football match against Sunderland in protest to the decision to increase ticket prices. This is one of many examples of fan activism as they struggle to shape the direction of their clubs.”

In February Liverpool supporters’ groups organised the action for the 77th of the match after a £77 match ticket and a £1,000 season ticket were announced. The club later the scrapped plans and apologised for “distress caused”.

Dr Doidge will be speaking at the British Science Festival where he will speak about fan activism in Europe and the growing difference between the commercial interests of clubs and fans.

He added: “Football fans represent one of the most active political groups in contemporary Europe.

"By ‘political’, it’s not necessarily around ideological politics of left and right, even if this does come into it. By ‘political’, it is about mobilising as a group to champion fan culture, to lobby politicians and to challenge legal and police repression.

“Often fans will be seen in a negative light – such as the violence between fans of Russia and England in France in the summer, or racism in the stadiums. But thousands of fans are actively campaigning against discrimination and fighting for the rights of fans.”

Dr Doidge will also be joined by Alan Lewis from Swansea City Supporters Trust who will be discussing trust and fans being on the board of clubs.

The discussion will take place on September 7 at 5pm in the University of Swansea’s Faraday Building.

For more information on the debate visit https://www.britishsciencefestival.org/event/the-fight-for-the-beautiful-game/