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When sports fans go too far
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 at yesterday’s season opener and it was obviously cause for fans to celebrate. But when a Giants fan was assaulted in the parking lot following the game, the victory was marred by the violence of the attack. Today the man is hospitalized in critical condition and questions about the conduct of Dodgers fans linger. What can be done when the competitive atmosphere of team sports crosses the line between avid fandom and physical attacks on fans of the opposing team? Under what circumstances does revelry turn to violence? What can be done to control the behavior of fans, many of whom are inebriated?
The Los Angeles Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 at yesterday’s season opener and it was obviously cause for fans to celebrate. But when a Giants fan was assaulted in the parking lot following the game, the victory was marred by the violence of the attack. Today the man is hospitalized in critical condition and questions about the conduct of Dodgers fans linger. What can be done when the competitive atmosphere of team sports crosses the line between avid fandom and physical attacks on fans of the opposing team? Under what circumstances does revelry turn to violence? What can be done to control the behavior of fans, many of whom are inebriated?
Guest:
Bill Plaschke, Sports Reporter for the Los Angeles Times