1. Political orientation
Unlike England (the homeland of not only the number one game, but also of noisy behavior in stadiums) and many other countries, football fanaticism in the Apennines has a clear political connotation. The roots of this phenomenon are sought in the middle of the last century. Post-war Italy was torn by social and political contradictions. But at the same time, she did not stop madly in love with the calcho. And it is not surprising that football clubs became centers around which groups of people with different views and attitudes formed.
Fans of the teams in the 60s began to distinctly divide into “left” and “right”. For example, the first group includes tiffozi “Livorno”, “Atalanta”, “Fiorentina”, “Empoli”, “Genoa”, “Perugia”, “Modena”. The second - “Inter”, “Juventus”, “Milan”, “Lazio”, “Bari”, “Cagliari”, “Regina” and almost all other clubs from the south. It happened that some ultras changed their views. Roma fans were considered leftists in the 60s and 70s, and from the 80s they are already right.
There are other gradations. Tiffosi "Ancons" call themselves anti-racists and anti-fascists. And fans of “Parma”, “Lecce” and “Como” are strongly apolitical. Moreover, recently in Italy, statements have been heard everywhere: "Ultras is out of politics." But this is only camouflage, caused by the prohibition of the country's leadership to show political preferences at stadiums.
2. The antagonism of typhoid in one team
In Italy, it often happens that the ultras of one team are divided into warring factions. A textbook example is for Torino fans. Granata Corps are right-wing radicals, while Ultras Granata and Ragazzi della Maratona are leftist, pro-communist views. A similar picture in Bologna: Forever Ultras are communists and Mods are fascists. “Cagliari” has its own “misfortune”: both “Sconvolts” and “Furiosi” are extremely right-wing, but between them ruthless enmity. It comes to the fact that at away matches in different sectors, they sing different songs.
3. Excessive temperament and aggression
Aggressive and malicious behavior of fans in one way or another is characteristic of any country. However, in Italy. especially southern, this is compounded by national traits: temperament and emotionality. Tifosi start not only with a half-turn - a quarter is enough.
Inter's French midfielder Patrick Vieira, who previously defended the colors of London's Arsenal, has very accurately noted recently the difference between English and Italian fans. He said that in England the fans are friendly and understandable, and in Italy they are embittered (talking about guest matches) and unpredictable.
At the same time, sometimes fans express aggression even against players of the revered club. Still on the Apennines recall the egregious incident with the midfielder of “Bari” Antonio Bellavista. A few years ago, after a major defeat, a group of Tifozi Southerners brutally beat this player.
4. Wars with the police
The words "ultras" and "violence" did not immediately become synonymous. At first, Tifozi was limited to hanging flags and singing. However, in the mid-70s, criminal groups began to grow around clubs, finding out relations outside the stadiums. The power component was put at the forefront.
The peak of violence came in the first half of the 90s. One of the most important derby “Sampdoria” - “Genoa” threw the natural bridge and the relationship of ultras. Those agreed in advance on the time and place of the bloody Genoese showdown. Such battles gathered 200-300 people from each side, became regular and, of course, could not remain without the attention of the police. Law enforcement forces tightened control, provoking the fury and protests of Tiffozi.
Fights and brawls between the ultras and the police now occur much more often. For example, in the first half of the Milan derby of the 2000/01 season, about three dozen police officers tried to restore order in the red and black sector, but in vain. Aggressive youngsters fought off bottles, torches, everything that was at hand, and then completely ousted the enemy from the rostrum. For the rest of the time, the typhosies of Milan and Inter together dragged songs against the police.
In March 2004, the ultras “Lazio” and “Roma” gave a powerful rebuff to the guardians of order. The start of the dramatic situation was laid by the rumor launched by the Stadio Olimpico that a police car crushed a fan boy during a break in a Roman derby. This information turned out to be a provocative lie. But the stands blew up. The battle resulted in 24 injuries (14 from the fans, and 10 from the police) and a broken second half.
5. Close contact with clubs
Despite everything, Tifozi has surprisingly close contact with the teams. Ultras usually collaborate with management and often receive help: in conducting pyrotechnic shows at stadiums, organizing trips to outings, and buying preferential subscriptions. Group leaders sell merchandise.
It is clear that the contact is mutually beneficial - the teams are guaranteed strong support. Tifozi often affect the personnel policy, their opinion is usually taken into account. Now, of course, there should be less freedom. But, as Massimo Moratti, the owner of Inter, formulated in a florid manner, “the ban on organized trips of fans can only be applied for the first time.” Milan vice president Adriano Galliani also expressed his support for red and black fans: “I think season ticket holders should be allowed to visit Giuseppe Meazza. I can vouch for them. These are respectable and obedient citizens, I know each of them personally.” Quite a bold statement - there are not one thousand such "citizens" ...
6. Banners and fireworks
About 15 years ago, it became fashionable to post banners with sharp remarks about the opponent. They organically fit into the surroundings of the calcho, and took root in other countries. The successful find of the Apennine fans diversified the spectacle of matches. Ultras are also famous for colorful fireworks.
In other words, the promised absence of spectators in the stands will greatly impoverish the game. The captain of “Milan” Paolo Maldini stated: “An absurd decision. Calcho will lose all meaning. It’s better to delay the continuation of the championship for another week, because playing in empty stands is death for football.”
And one of the leaders of Juventus fans, Fabio Germani, following the tragedy in Catania, turned to all the leaders of the groups with a proposal to unite under the slogan “Calm in the stadiums is our future”. Thus, in his opinion, it will be possible to protect the ultras associations from possible persecution.
Denis ORLOV