ITS COMING HOME: THE IMPACT OF SPORTS ON HATE CRIME IN BREXIT LONDON

Abstract

This thesis poses the question of whether football matches taking place in an area increase instances counts of hate crime. Additionally, if such relationship exists, what best explains it. Moreover, does the Brexit referendum—an event that acted as an information shock within society— affect this dynamic in any way if at all. Using granular football match and hate crime data on the daily-borough level within London between 2011 and 2024, this study uses a fixed effects regression model with increasing levels of controls and fixed effects, to answer these questions. The main findings reveal a consistent and significant relationship between football games and hate crime. Furthermore, football matches in higher leagues and with more unexpected outcomes drive greater increases in hate crime. Finally, whereas Brexit itself has impacts on hate crime, it does not meaningfully impact the relationship between football and hate crime.