"To persecute", but with a lighter acceptation, and without physical actions involved

I'm looking for a word to indicate what someone is doing when they're regularily targeting anyone part of a different group / community using words and without physical actions involved, something like "to persecute" but with a lighter acceptation.

A good example would be supporters of a football teams (?) supporters of other teams; they're not "persecuting" each other, but if they meet they'd start (?) each other, so the topic is the rivalry here; nonetheless this wouldn't imply physical actions of any kind, but just words.

Solution 1:

To heckle

Definition: To torment with persistent insult or ridicule; to harass (a public speaker, performer, etc.) with impertinent questions, gibes, or the like; to badger (to harass or urge persistently; pester; nag).

Example: As you correctly state, all members heckle from time to time and noise does get excessive and you do your best to try to quell that.

To hound

Definition: To pursue or harass without respite:

Examples: Her little brother wouldn't stop hounding her. When he is out of office, He is being hounded by the press.

Eventually To scold

Definition: to use harsh or abusive language; to criticize other people in an angry way; to heap abuse; to criticize or blame loudly and angrily.

Example: It wasn't Rick's fault he was late getting home, but his father didn't want to listen to his excuses; he just stood there and scolded.

Also to throw invectives [at each other]

Definition of "invective": Swearing or abusive language that is harsh or insulting; vehement accusations or denunciations including bitterly abusive or sarcastic speech.

Example: The politicians were throwing invectives at each other during their TV debate.

Solution 2:

Maybe Disparage:

to speak contemptuously of; belittle (-- Collins)

although it doesn't carry a confrontational aspect (you can disparage someone behind their back).

Solution 3:

Razzing

The Free Dictionary "To deride, heckle, or tease: razzed the teammate who missed the shot" Its derivation is "a shortening and tightening of raspberry."

Collins Dictionary: "the act of making fun of someone; ribbing, ragging;

The American team was subjected to sustained razzing by a section of the crowd.

It all started with a bit of friendly razzing.

He took a little razzing from his teammates."

Note that the second example from Collins suggests that razzing can escalate to something more serious.