Is Booing in Football Acceptable Behavior?

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During the England vs. Croatia match, there were reports of booing directed at Croatian players, particularly when they had possession of the ball. The lack of media criticism regarding this behavior raised concerns, as commentators did not address it during the game. The discussion explored the nature of booing in sports, noting that while it is common in many sports, its acceptability varies. Some participants expressed that booing is a natural expression of disapproval and contributes to the competitive atmosphere of games. There was also speculation about whether the booing was genuine or enhanced by artificial crowd noise, especially given the pandemic's impact on fan attendance. Overall, the conversation highlighted differing opinions on the appropriateness of booing in sports and the role of media in addressing such behaviors.
Dr Wu
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I don't know if my ears were playing tricks on me, but while watching the England v Croatia match the other day, I distinctly heard what sounded like massed booing being directed at the Croatian players, invariably while Croatia had the ball. What really struck home, however, was the dearth of any criticism coming from the media afterwards about this unsporting behaviour. Indeed, I don't recall either of the two BBC match commentators drawing attention to it while it was happening. It could be, of course, that I imagined it, or else I'm in urgent need of treatment from an ear specialist. . . what?
 
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Were there fans in the stands, or was it artificial sound?
 
Dr Wu said:
I don't know if my ears were playing tricks on me, but while watching the England v Croatia match the other day, I distinctly heard what sounded like massed booing being directed at the Croatian players, invariably while Croatia had the ball. What really struck home, however, was the dearth of any criticism coming from the media afterwards about this unsporting behaviour. Indeed, I don't recall either of the two BBC match commentators drawing attention to it while it was happening. It could be, of course, that I imagined it, or else I'm in urgent need of treatment from an ear specialist. . . what?
As long as it's not racially-motivated booing, it's all part of the beautiful game.
 
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I think it interesting that the "approved" level of booing varies from sport to sport. American baseball: absolutely. Soccer (yeah soccer): certainly. Ice Hockey: ye. Pugilism: surely Basketball: less I think. Football (yeah football): less ? Golf: You get the point. Maybe it has more to do with crowd size. Although British fans are legend.
 
I think they are at 1/3 or 1/4 capacity but I have no idea whether the sound we hear is purely from the fans or is at least in part artificially generated - they've had quite a while now to perfect the artificial crowd noise.

Booing of opposition players is par for the course, but booing the anthem of the opposing team is disappointing. I try to tell myself that it comes from a small minority of the crowd but who knows?
 
hutchphd said:
I think it interesting that the "approved" level of booing varies from sport to sport. American baseball: absolutely. Soccer (yeah soccer): certainly. Ice Hockey: ye. Pugilism: surely Basketball: less I think. Football (yeah football): less ? Golf: You get the point. Maybe it has more to do with crowd size. Although British fans are legend.
And frowned upon in tennis.
 
Dr Wu said:
I don't know if my ears were playing tricks on me, but while watching the England v Croatia match the other day, I distinctly heard what sounded like massed booing being directed at the Croatian players, invariably while Croatia had the ball. What really struck home, however, was the dearth of any criticism coming from the media afterwards about this unsporting behaviour. Indeed, I don't recall either of the two BBC match commentators drawing attention to it while it was happening. It could be, of course, that I imagined it, or else I'm in urgent need of treatment from an ear specialist. . . what?
Nothing wrong with booing, it’s a sign of disapproval.
I have booed the opposition, the referee, the opposing fans and my own players.
For foul play poor play poor ref-fing or for being Liverpool.
If there was no booing the game would not sound competitive or even real.

There was about 22,000 fans at that match and its worth noting that when we were in lock down with no fans allowed they dubbed fan sounds onto the games.

That included booing and disapproval whistling.
 
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DrClaude said:
And frowned upon in tennis.
Depends on the context

I will never forget this guy, he ended up being a commentator in the UK too!
Very calm measured and professional these days!

Worth watching all the way through but 5.50 onwards for a bit of jeering and booing

 
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McEnroe's attitude did a lot for tennis. I remember when the line judges at Wimbledon were aging All-England Club members, who were practically asleep in their chairs.
 

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