Whether they helped bring down Jose Mourinho, marched against their club owner or pushed back against plans to commercialize football, fans prove that fan activism is not just a passing fad. As a result, they are a force to be reckoned with in the fight for the future of the game.

When it comes to reporting on these stories, it is important to focus on humanizing the protesters and their motives. Sharing a bit of their personality, hobbies and family can help readers understand why they are so passionate about their cause and what it means to them.

In addition, journalists should also be careful not to portray underrepresented groups negatively. Often, news media coverage depicts protesters from communities of color in ways that are hostile and dehumanizing, and this can have negative impacts on attitudes toward the protesters and their causes.

One such example is the Angel City Brigade, a group of LA Galaxy supporters who stayed silent for a full game’s worth of their team’s recent home match against Vancouver in solidarity with Southern California Latino communities that have been affected by immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Leslie Jimenez, the leader of the group, says there isn’t a day that goes by without her thinking about the raids.

The fact that they chose to stay silent for a full game shows their dedication to the issue. It also highlights the importance of understanding that fans want to be heard, and that it is important for clubs to listen to their concerns.