Stadium insults, such as those directed at referees and racists, are considered part of cheering. This is based on a SWG study of 800 participants. 50% of respondents say it is acceptable to disrespect opponents and officials while cheering at the stadium. More precisely, 51% believe it is acceptable to trash their team or champion if they do poorly, while 48% see nothing wrong with scaring an opponent with yells and chants. At the same time, 46% of respondents regard insulting referees as a "element of cheering". Physical confrontation with opposing fans is also common among 16% of fans. And one in every five Italians considers insults directed against players based on their nationality or ethnicity to be normal.
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