Revealing Fanaticism of Football Supporters: Mass Psychology Perspective

Introduction: Football has been transformed into a "new religion," which has implications beyond the mere physical exercise. The behavior of football supporters is a crucial study conducted because supporters have an essential role in the achievements and existence of a football club. Objective: This study aims to determine the level of fanaticism of football supporters in the BARLINGMASCAKEB region (Banjarnegara, Purbalingga, Banyumas, Cilacap, and Kebumen); secondly, analyzing the behavior of football supporters using the perspective of mass psychology. Method: The research method used is a combination of quantitative research and qualitative research. Quantitative research was conducted to measure the level of fanaticism and aggressiveness of football s upporters by using a questionnaire. The respondents were supporters of football clubs in the BARLINGMASCAKEB region with an age range of 17-30 years using the Random Sampling technique. The research instrument used a questionnaire about fanaticism and aggressiveness in sports provided online to research respondents—data analysis using correlation techniques with the guidance of SPSS applications. Qualitative research was conducted to analyze football supporters' behavior by using a literature review with mass psychology as a theoretical framework. : Results: The results showed that football supporters in the BARLINGMASCAKEB region had a high level of fanaticism and aggressiveness. A person's personality can change when in a crowd because of group conformity and adrenaline-triggered biological factors. This condition triggers aggressive actions and involvement in destructive anarchist actions. The aggressive behavior of football supporters also impacted the high level of unrest and the potential for disunity among football supporters.