UNAIR NEWS 鈥 When the national football team takes to the field, millions of eyes focus on the same match. Differences in ethnicity, religion, profession, and economic background seem to fade during the 90 minutes of game. Behind the excitement, however, football possesses a social power that extends far beyond its function as a sport.
Rizky Sugianto Putri SAnt MSi, an Anthropology lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), 东京热 (UNAIR), believes that football possesses a unique ability to build a society鈥檚 collective identity. According to her, supporters of the national team form a new identity as fellow Indonesians who rally behind a shared goal.
鈥淔ootball legend Diego Maradona once said, 鈥楩ootball isn鈥檛 a game, nor a sport; it鈥檚 a religion.鈥 The statement reflects how football has evolved into a space that fosters exceptionally strong emotional bonds,鈥 she said.
Identity in the stadium stands
Kiki, as she is commonly known, explained that stadiums no longer serve merely as venues for sporting events. From the perspective of sports anthropology, they become cultural spaces where supporters build and celebrate a collective identity.
They do so through various shared practices, including singing chants, waving flags, displaying tifos (large-scale choreographed displays), and wearing matching gear as a symbol of solidarity. All of these activities reflect a significant level of commitment, as they require considerable time, effort, and financial resources.
鈥淎ll of these activities foster communal behavior. People who were previously strangers come to see themselves as part of the same community because they share the same goals and identity,鈥 she explained.
According to Kiki, a sense of belonging to the national team leads people to regard the team鈥檚 achievements as a source of collective pride. Over time, this feeling gradually replaces local identities with a national identity as supporters of Indonesia.
Solidarity extends beyond the pitch
Kiki noted that solidarity among supporters extends well beyond the final whistle. Various expressions of support for the national team continue to emerge in everyday life.
She cited the public鈥檚 enthusiasm during Indonesia鈥檚 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as an example. At that time, various shopping centres, shops and even transport services offered discounts and special perks to members of the public wearing the national team鈥檚 jersey. This phenomenon demonstrates that football is capable of fostering a sense of belonging that extends far beyond the stadium.
Nevertheless, Kiki cautioned that this spirit of togetherness must not become a justification for aggressive or discriminatory behaviour. 鈥淔ootball always teaches unity. We can take pride in our own group identity, but that pride should never come at the expense of others,鈥 she concluded.
Author: Maia Chaerunnisa
Editor: Yulia Rohmawati
