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Externally Funded Fellow Dr Vinícius Teixeira Pinto delivers a seminar on their research, fully titled "Democracy on the pitch: an anthropological approach to the politics and activism of Brazilian football supporters." -

Brazilian football has undergone significant shifts in its gameplay and its politics in a few years: from its new stadiums, passing through social and urban change, until the recent laws that allowed the conversion of its football clubs into Public Limited Football Companies. Aside the sporting angle, not least important were the political demonstrations that had football as target or background—such as the 2014 FIFA WC protests, or the wearing of Brazilian National Team shirts by the far-right rallies, or lately the anti-fascist football fans activism against ‘Bolsonarism’. Based on ethnographic fieldwork undertaken in Southern Brazil during the Bolsonaro Government (2019-2023), this seminar revisits some of Brazil’s recent political events, offering an anthropological approach to the modalities of political participation and activism that emerged in sport and that in certain cases resonated beyond it, even inspiring the demand for democracy both on and off the football pitch.

Arrivals from 11:45 am for a 12:00 noon start. For those joining in-person, lunch will be served after the seminar from 1:00pm.

This event is hybrid format, please use the required booking button at the bottom of the page to choose either in-person or online attendance.
(Please note that in-person spaces are limited and booking is required, so we can manage numbers for catering and also the space in the seminar room)

By booking a place at this event, attendees agree to behave in a respectful manner such that everyone feels comfortable contributing as they wish. The IAS reserves the right to eject anyone who does not abide by this policy.

IAS seminars are typically recorded, minus any Q&A sessions at the end, again to encourage contributions. The recordings are then uploaded to our website on a Fellows bio page and/or Programme page, along with our IAS YouTube Channel. If you are not able to attend a seminar live, please do still register for the Zoom Webinar, as we will email everyone who registered to let them know once the recordings are made available.