Association between Old Firm football matches and reported domestic (violence) incidents in Strathclyde, Scotland

Abstract

Media reports have suggested that the number of reports of domestic violence may increase when Scotland's two largest, Glasgow-based football (soccer) clubs, Rangers and Celtic (traditionally referred to as the “Old Firm”) play one another. This study considers the number of domestic (violence) incidents reported to Strathclyde Police between 2008 and 2011 for the 24hrs following these matches, and compares it to the number reported during two appropriate comparator periods. There is a statistically significant increase in the number of reports following Old Firm matches compared to the comparator periods. This preliminary analysis confirms previous speculation concerning the association between Old Firm matches and reports of domestic violence, and highlights the need to better understand the factors leading to such violence to inform preventive interventions.