The transformation of football into a source of social separation in Turkey

The public generally emphasizes the fraternity, solidarity and integrative role of sports. However, almost every branch of sports has such positive effects on the individual and society, as well as a divisive and alienating effect. Athletes, often spectators or the masses who are somehow interested in sports enter into a relationship of "us" and "other" due to differences in race, ethnicity, class, nation, religion, place, etc. Many branches of sports that drag the masses, especially football, have become a major industry in economic terms and have become an effective tool that provides legitimacy to the political. In this context, sports has become a source with many reflections on the economic, political and social fields, far beyond being a physical activity. Football has become a phenomenon that is followed by more people on a global scale, and beyond following, it has become a more present in peoples lives. Decisions made, actions taken, expressions and symbols used regarding football have become a source and tool of social separation at different levels. However, with the intervention of different actors and tools, football has become an effective source of social separation beyond reality, through the perception produced. Economic and political actors and media outlets have played an important role in increasing the effect of football on social separation. In the world of football, which has become an important means of interaction between people, communities and countries, excessive value can be attributed to cultural, historical and political discourses, actions and symbols. The interest of the masses in football has a large share in excessive value attribution. Discourses, actions and symbols to which excessive value is attributed can often lead to the emergence, spread and reproduction of social separation. In this study, the effects of football, a popular sport, on social segregation processes are discussed from different aspects. This thesis, which is a qualitative study using the historical description method, uses the document analysis technique. The effect of football on social segregation is determined through detailed analysis of written documents, texts and other documents. The results of the study will allow a better understanding of the effects of football on social dynamics and an in-depth examination of social segregation processes. Keywords: Sports, Football, Politics, Social Segregation