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A group of researchers at Coimba University in Portugal have discovered that the passion that people feel towards football is similar when a person is in love.

After three years of investigation, a press release from university scientists Catarina Duarte, Miguel Castelo-Branco and Ricardo Cayolla revealed that the brain reacts the same way for fans as when someone is involved romantically with another.

Researchers worked with two women and 54 men between the ages of 21-60, of which the majority were from Porto.

"We have been able to prove that neural systems are activated in a way that is very similar to that of romance," the statement explained.

The study also revealed that passion for football can turn into an obsession and goes beyond rational behaviour, to the point of fanaticism.