Cultural Pride or Xenophobia? Analyzing Fan Slogans in UEFA Euro 2024 Through Social Media Sentiment

This article investigates how fan slogans during UEFA Euro 2024 reflect cultural pride or xenophobia. Using data from X, Instagram, and Reddit, the study employs sentiment and emotion analysis to understand public reactions. It explores the thematic clusters and emotional tones across these platforms, highlighting differences in how fans express support, rivalry, and cultural identity. The study leverages Social Identity Theory, Threat Theory, and Ethnolinguistic Identity Theory to interpret the findings. Results reveal distinct themes such as national pride, friendly rivalry, and game analysis, with variations in sentiment and emotion across platforms. X shows a mix of positive and neutral sentiments, Instagram highlights personal and cultural expressions, and Reddit exhibits more critical discussions. The study emphasizes the importance of a cross-platform approach to comprehensively capture public sentiment during major events. Future research should consider additional platforms and longitudinal data to further understand these dynamics.