Female football supporters in Malmö: the struggle for space

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article examines the lived experiences of female football supporters in Malmö. It aims to gain a deeper understanding of how female supporters relate to space and take place in the stands. Ten supporters organized in the separatist female supporter group Malmösystrar (Malmö Sisters) were interviewed. A feminist analysis was carried out using Beverley Skeggs’ theoretical understanding of gender as a social position through the concepts of space and femininity. The results show how female supporters express femininity and masculinity to gain power. Female supporters are marginalized through their social position of being women. To take space, female supporters tactically oppose feminism. Femininity is not a capital on the stands to gain power. However, when female supporters organize and their power increases, they express more femininity in looks and more masculinity in behaviour compared to before.