Guillem Balague has sparked a talking point after tweeting “football stadiums are becoming more impatient, more toxic and polarised”.
The 57 year old Spanish journalist, author, and pundit said: “Seeing the video of Robert Sanchez telling the Chelsea fans to relax as it was only half time, made me want to talk about something that has been on my mind for a while: why football stadiums are becoming more impatient, more toxic and polarised.
“The pandemic changed our routines and it accelerated a transformation that was already happening in society: overnight, our lives moved onto screens. We watched sport through devices, we debated online, we consumed information in fragments and, importantly for this point, we lived inside a constant stream of opinions.” Tweet continues further down in the article…
Seeing the video of Robert Sanchez telling the Chelsea fans to relax as it was only half time, made me want to talk about something that has been on my mind for a while: why football stadiums are becoming more impatient, more toxic and polarised.
The pandemic changed our…
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 1, 2026
Robert Sánchez redemption arc is one of the best stories of the Premier League Season, love a comeback
The way he took all the criticism on the chin, kept working hard, never went hiding is a testament to his character.Hope it continues.
Oh, & he believes in his teammates 💙👇 pic.twitter.com/CsY1eP8WPW
— António Mango (@AntonioMango4) February 1, 2026
“And with that, something else grew stronger: extremisation.
“We have become less able to accept what doesn’t match our own perception. The world has turned into a place where difference is a threat and disagreement feels personal.
“Even when those opinions are built on incomplete information, we treat them as unquestionable truths. The most important voice is no longer the most informed one, but the loudest one, the strongest in the moment.
“And football, as always, reflects society.
“In stadiums now, we increasingly see impatience that would have been unthinkable years ago. Fans protesting a team even before half-time. Whistling after one mistake, even teams that are top of the table. Demanding changes immediately, as if football were a video game and not a complex sport shaped by confidence, form (both appearing in waves during a campaign), injuries, personalities, the limits of a squad or the finances.
“We forget that coaches work every day with these players. That they know the realities behind the scenes. That progress is not always instant. But patience has become rare, because the modern world trains us to expect immediate solutions.
“What’s worse is that creating a toxic atmosphere no longer feels like a problem for many supporters. The priority becomes: “I want what I want, and I want it now.” Even if it damages the team. Even if it poisons the environment. Even if it turns the stadium into a place of tension instead of support. I cannot think of anything worse than your own fans chanting, “you are going to be sacked in the morning.”
“This phenomenon is particularly noticeable in England right now, where protests and frustration inside grounds are becoming more common. Perhaps it is less frequent in Spain, where there is still — sometimes — a different relationship with suffering, with time, with process, with football clubs and the role of fans. At Real Madrid, the whistling to the team lasted a game and it was a protest against the sacking of Xabi Alonso, or a message to the players. The following game, they had moved on. I feel that is legitimate. But the trend is spreading.
“The truth is hardly any club lives in happiness anymore. And I feel it is not because football has changed dramatically, but surely because society has.
“The modern fan experience is shaped by constant noise, constant judgement, constant outrage. And football, which used to be an escape, has become another space where people project frustration and impatience.
“It’s not really about the manager. Or the player. Or even the result. What we are hearing is basically about the world we have become. Although I do feel there is another way.
“I know none of this is new. But how about if we thought we might not be right. Someone else might be. Or changing an opinion. Or listening a bit more. Or considering we might not know everything. And respect our differences.”
Here’s how social media users reacted after Guillem Balague explains why “football stadiums are becoming more impatient, more toxic and polarised”…
I hear you. My experience of football in England is from the 90s and I had not sensed what I sense now
What happened after the 80s, you think? Maybe a change of public going to the games with the ending of standing, PL opening up the game to other layers of society, etc?
Why…
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 1, 2026
I’m not against protesting
Even today Real fans will whistle today after Benfica defeat as they are unhappy mostly with players
I am talking about something else. Whatabautery doesn’t help this debate I feel
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 1, 2026
If the manager of Spain, Qatar, Real Madrid, Porto, Sevilla, winner of the Europa League is an overrated manager………..
I think we have seen since that it was not a manager problem
I have plenty of information on that one to have an opinion that hasn’t changed. But I have…
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 1, 2026
So the fact it happened 40, 50 years ago means we should not talk/analyse/theorise about what is happening today?
I feel society was different in those eras and it is worthwhile talking about it
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) February 1, 2026
@JDNalton: The often extortionate prices charged for tickets don’t help. If you’re paying that much money, there are certain expectations. If those running the game/clubs want to market football as a “product”, they might have to expect some “customer” feedback.
@AndyPerry145092: How can you write a tweet that long and not consider the fact get during a cost of living crisis football club have decided to keep increasing ticket prices. If you treat fans as customers then customers have every right to demand a return on their outlay.
@BarcelonaSpurs: Ticket prices might have something to do with it. Also the commercial banterisation of football means that fans aren’t just processing what’s happening on the pitch, but what they’re going to have to endure from rival fans (or in some cases the actual media) post match.
@WarrenBedeBrown: This is a really good read. All teams have this issue with fans ‘living on the edge’ but isn’t that what being a fan is all about? This season at SAFC as a fan base we have begun to realise how important the home atmosphere is all about and it’s going to keep us in the PL…
@dhg23: Cost of living. Narrowing to prem, fans paying small fortunes to watch at times some very average football. Look at Spurs vs City right now. Fans want good football for their hard earned money. Very few are getting any this season.
@seanfromenderby: It’s cos football is very expensive to follow so fans want more. Very fair, players n managers should get on with it
@Martin_Wickham: Why do people who are paid to watch games of football feel the need to lecture those of us who pay to attend?
@karlitostephens: I paid £200 on a ticket, train fare, food & drink for the day. That 1st half performance from Chelsea yesterday was diabolical & if I want to boo & shout at the players to perform I will.
@smurph1905: Prices have increased and quality has decreased. Fans have every right to criticise an amateurish performance everyone saw coming. It gave them a much-needed kick up the backside.
@MasalaChai1: I think there is an ever increasing distance between fans having some control on what goes on at their clubs. The reality that football is more of a business. The threat of London clubs >tourists will take your seat, no problem. There’s never been a worser time.
@What_ENIC_Do: Great post @GuillemBalague, but I think the frustration mainly comes because the fans are treated like customers. Football has become so spreadsheet/business for the elite and we are also so frustrated that our game is being taken from us.
@davidson_jon: Come to Elland Road you’ll see what’s it’s all about loyal passionate fans, few day trippers just fans making their feelings known building an atmosphere for the team To feed off win loose or draw singing our hearts out for the lads. Covid had no effect your theory is flawed ALAW
@PSFagan: This is an excellent analysis, Guillem. I have thought this for a while now. How many Prem fanbases are currently happy? Certainly not Liverpool, Spurs or Chelsea – who respectively, in the last twelve months won the league title; a European trophy; & a Euro AND World Club cups!
@PompeyNev: Absolutely agree – and you’ve put your finger on a far broader point, about society in general. I hate the polarisation and leaping to accuse we see so much now. And in case anyone was in any doubt, plenty have leapt on to your post to prove it.
