Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Explained: What is the 12th man in football?

Football has a lexicon of its own and those who are not familiar with the sport can be left flummoxed by some of the phrases uttered.

One of those phrases is "the 12th man", but what does it actually mean?

In case you're wondering, Goal takes a look at the meaning behind "the 12th man" and where it comes from.

Editors' Picks

What does The 12th Man mean in football?

'The 12th man' in football is a term which refers to a team's supporters. The term is based on the atmosphere a set of fans can generate and the effect it can have on a match.