Stadi derby and the securization of urban public space

Abstract

Stadi Derby is a local football (soccer) match played in Helsinki, Finland, that is greatly appreciated for its atmosphere. Simultaneously, the negative characteristics connected to international football culture have become familiar in the surroundings of the stadium. The threat of violence is visible, e.g. in the media coverage reporting on the derby, which has also affected the way the city dwellers experience the urban public space. In our article, we ask what kind of reactions and discourses can be found concerning the relationship between Stadi Derby and the right to public space. We apply securitization theory to understand the ways in which these events and the media coverage of them have affected urban dwellers. We look for particular speech acts in the media coverage and analyse the ways people respond to them by analysing material produced via Facebook and a focus group interview. The Stadi Derby case is an example of the ambiguous nature of public space and what is considered acceptable behaviour in it. It also shows the mechanism through which we create an understanding of the diverse users of such a space.