Aguante and violence in the world of Mexican soccer bars. Methodological and ethical reflections on the case of the Kaos Ritual

Abstract

The practices of the fans to professional soccer in Mexico are developed in contexts of related violence and dangerous, as far as the researchers should keep methodological and ethical rigurous protocols. Since 2007 to 2012, I made an etnographic investigation for my doctoral thesis with organised fans groups of Club America, from Mexico City. In some cases I was involved in physical violence situations, and I had some risks, in those situations my life was safe, but implied potential injuries or legal repercussions and administrative implications. In this text, I describe briefly the context of organized fan groups in Mexico. After that, I put forward some examples of situations and violence testimonies from members of Club America’s youth groups of fans. Finally, I do some methodological and ethical reflections related to the field work in those circumstances of violence.