Ryan Chen, assistant professor of sport leadership and management along with SLAM colleague Adam Beissel and co-author Dr. Yiran Su, recently published a research article, "The quest for authenticity amid activism and sportswashing: a netnographical study of Chinese satellite fans during the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup," to a special issue with the focus of fandom in the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Soccer & Society.

Abstract

The 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup is poised to leave a complex legacy, marked by the array of social, economic, and political controversies that enveloped the tournament. In this study, we utilized a netnographic approach to explore the identities of satellite fans within two online communities during the World Cup tournament. By specifically focusing on the cooptation and dismantling of sport activism within a non-western satellite fan context, we offer critical insights into the intricate interplay between politics and sport on an international platform. Through a case study on Chinese satellite fans, our findings reveal a pronounced inclination among fans towards seeking authenticity, which acts as a defensive mechanism for rationalizing their role identity.

Chen, R., Su, Y., & Beissel, A. S. (2024). The quest for authenticity amid activism and sportswashing: a netnographical study of Chinese satellite fans during the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup. Soccer & Society, 1-17.