We love to hate each other : mediated football fan culture

Football fans are often portrayde as enthusiastic, loyal, critical and somtimes volent. But what is it about football that appeals to them? How do the media - newspapers, radio, TV, blogs and web forums - accomodate the needs of fans and what connection - if any - is there between the imagined community of football fans and the broader society? These are the questions explored by 20 wellknowned and merited researhcer from 8 countries in this anthology about the mediation of football fandom.