Football matches are not just about the players on the pitch and the teams they represent. The fans in the stands are an equally integral part of the football experience, passionately cheering on their teams. Among the most dedicated football fans are the ultras – organized groups of hardcore supporters known for their intense devotion. In this article, we explore the world of ultras, their origins, characteristics, and controversies.
The Emergence of Ultras
Ultras first emerged in Italy in the late 1960s, with the first groups forming to support teams like Sampdoria and Torino. The term “ultra” was coined from the Latin word for “beyond”, representing their extreme dedication to their teams. From Italy, the ultra movement spread to other European countries in the 1970s and 1980s as fans learned about the Italian ultra culture and wanted to emulate it. This growth coincided with increasing broadcast of matches on television, allowing fans in other countries to witness the passion and coordination of Italian ultras. As they saw how Italian fans supported their teams, supporters in Germany, England, Spain and elsewhere were inspired to form their own ultra groups. Each country’s ultra scene has its own unique history and characteristics based on local football culture.
The defining feature of ultras across Europe is their highly organized nature. An ultra group consists of dues-paying members, with an elected leadership hierarchy and an established code of conduct. They coordinate organized cheering, tifos (choreographed displays), songs, chants, banners, and pyro shows at matches to support their teams in the most passionate way possible. Ultras commit significant time and resources to supporting their teams, with members coordinating preparations for displays and purchasing materials like flags, banners, smoke devices and more.
| Country | Year Ultras Emerged | Prominent Ultra Groups | Other Notable Groups |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Late 1960s | Curva Sud Milano (AC Milan), Boys SAN (Napoli) | Ultras Tito (Lazio), Fossa dei Leoni (Napoli) |
| Germany | 1970s | The Unity (Borussia Dortmund) | Südtribüne Dortmund, Schickeria München (Bayern) |
| England | 1970s | Holmesdale Fanatics (Crystal Palace) | Brigade Mauve (Crystal Palace), Red Army (Manchester United) |
| Spain | 1980s | Frente Atletico (Atletico Madrid) | Grada d’animacio (Barcelona), Biris Norte (Sevilla) |
Characteristics of Ultras
Ultras place immense importance on attending matches, especially high-stakes local derbies against rival clubs and important European matches. For ultras, supporting their team is not just a casual hobby – it is a key part of their identity and community. There is great pride in sticking by your team no matter what happens, through thick and thin over the years. Ultras will continue to attend matches and organize displays even when their team is struggling. Their support comes from a life-long, unconditional loyalty to their club.
In order to fully dedicate themselves to their teams, ultras uphold principles like autonomy from team management, anonymity of members, non-profit status, and freedom from politics and religion within their groups. Most groups share a left-wing, anti-establishment ideology that comes through in their visual displays and chants. Rival groups, even within the same league and city, often have heated rivalries with one another that add fuel to their displays when they face off.
Visually, ultras are recognized by their massive banners, flags, scarves, flares, smoke bombs, and elaborate tifos designed and coordinated beforehand. The synchronized chants, songs, pyrotechnic displays, and raucous noise create an intensely charged atmosphere designed to intimidate opponents and inspire their own team. Ultras take great pride in the scale and complexity of their displays each match.
Controversies Surrounding Ultras
While passion is at the heart of the ultra movement, their fervor has often bred controversy and violence that has marred the reputation of certain groups. Hooliganism, riots, fighting, vandalism, drug use, racist behavior, and property damage associated with ultras have led to criticism. Some argue that ultras prioritize the spectacle and rivalry over the match itself. The frequent use of flares and smoke bombs has also been hazardous.
In response, governments have passed legislation aimed at curbing hooliganism and cracking down on problematic ultras. Many argue that the overwhelming majority are peaceful, lawful fans, and that troublemakers are a small minority in the movement. Ultra groups have aimed to clean up their image by rooting out violence and illegal activity among their own members.
All in all, ultras undoubtedly take football fandom to the extreme edges of dedication and passion. To outsiders, their obsessive devotion and intense behavior may seem bizarre or alarming. Yet the vibrant passion of ultras contributes an invaluable, thrilling energy and atmosphere to football culture that is unmatched. These superfans embody the pinnacle of loyalty in modern football culture. Their endless passion serves as a reminder that at its core, football fandom emerges from a profound, irrational love of the beautiful game.
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