‘The rise of the ‘Ultras’: Inside the world of Italy's diehard football fans

Sky News

11 Mar 202407:27

Summary

TLDRThe script delves into the violent subculture of Italian football, focusing on the Ultras, dedicated and sometimes criminal fan groups. It highlights the intimidation and clashes in cities like Rome and Milan, where the police meticulously organize responses to prevent violence. The narrative explores the personal stories of Ultras, their loyalty to the team and city, and their readiness for combat. It also addresses the resurgence of racism in stadiums, with instances of players being racially abused. The script suggests that hooliganism is far from fading, with Ultras showing no signs of stopping their aggressive and racially-charged behavior.

Takeaways

🥊 The script discusses the violent and brutal side of Italian football, focusing on the activities of 'Ultras', the most dedicated club fans with links to crime and violence.
🏙️ In Rome, the presence of Ultras is marked by intimidation and a readiness for confrontation, with leaders like Marco from Inter Milan's CA Nord Ultras being influential figures.
🌧️ Weather conditions and police presence can influence the likelihood of violent clashes between rival Ultras groups.
🏟️ Ultras groups are highly organized, mirroring the organization of the Italian police force that aims to prevent violent incidents at football matches.
🥋 Some Milan Ultras train for combat in fight clubs, indicating a serious commitment to violence and confrontation.
🔱 Loyalty to the team, city, and each other is a strong bond among Ultras, with some willing to engage in violent acts to defend these ties.
🛑 Instances of racism in Italian football stadiums are highlighted, with examples of racist abuse towards players.
🚨 The resurgence of violent behavior among Ultras fans is noted, with a clear increase in dangerous incidents since the previous year.
🌐 Ultra groups are linked to far-right extremist movements across Europe, creating a volatile mix of football loyalty, violence, racism, and crime.
🔄 Despite past efforts to curb hooliganism, the issue persists and may be ingrained in football culture due to the ongoing activity of Ultras.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the transcript?
-The primary focus of the transcript is the issue of violence, hooliganism, and racism in Italian football, particularly among fan groups known as Ultras.
What is the role of Ultras in Italian football culture?
-Ultras are the most dedicated club fans in Italian football culture, but some of them are linked to crime and engage in violent activities, contributing to the hooliganism problem.
How does Marco, the head of the Inter Milan CA Nord Ultras, view the current state of the Ultras?
-Marco believes that the Ultras are in a good way, but he also acknowledges the potential for clashes with rival groups, especially given the weather conditions and police presence.
What is the significance of the fight club where many Milan Ultras train?
-The fight club is significant as it shows the level of organization and preparation among the Ultras for potential combat, highlighting their commitment to violence and territorial disputes.
What is the role of Andrea, referred to as Marco's 'war minister'?
-Andrea is another Ultra with a long history of violence, and he is seen as a key figure in the organization and planning of violent activities among the Ultras.
How do the Ultras view their loyalty to the team and each other?
-The Ultras view their loyalty to the team, the city, and each other as paramount, even leading to extreme actions such as violence and standing by their fellow Ultras despite the consequences.
What is the stance of Donny, an AS Roma Ultra, on fighting other fans?
-Donny loves fighting other fans, comparing it to going to war and enjoying the adrenaline rush, showing a deep-seated enthusiasm for the violence associated with the fan culture.
How does Mario, a former Ultra, reflect on his past involvement in violence and racism?
-Mario admits to being involved in both violence and racism, and he does not express remorse, stating that it was part of the life he chose and that he would do the same things again.
What is the police's perspective on the Ultras and the recent resurgence of violence?
-The police view the Ultras as very dangerous, especially those determined to commit violence. They acknowledge a resurgence in violent behavior among Ultras since the previous year.
How are the Ultra groups connected to broader European movements?
-The Ultra groups are linked to far-right extremist movements across Europe, creating a volatile mix of football loyalty, violence, racism, and crime.
What was the outcome of the game where Joseph Manala was a victim of racist abuse?
-During the game where Joseph Manala was a victim of racist abuse, the match had to be stopped, and the fans targeted him, leading to the police escorting him away from the stadium.

Outlines

00:00

🥊 Ultras and Violence in Italian Football

This paragraph delves into the ugly side of Italian football, highlighting the sudden and brutal violence that often accompanies the sport. It introduces the concept of 'Ultras' - the most dedicated club fans who are sometimes linked to crime and engage in street battles. The narrative focuses on Rome, where the air is filled with intimidation and a readiness for conflict. The paragraph introduces Marco, a leader of the Inter Milan CA Nord Ultras, who discusses the organization and loyalty within the Ultras groups, their preparation for clashes, and the tragic consequences of their actions. It also touches on the resurgence of hooliganism, racism, and violence in stadiums, questioning whether football can ever truly break away from these issues.

05:00

🚨 The Resurgence of Football Hooliganism

The second paragraph explores the resurgence of football hooliganism, particularly among the Ultras fan groups in Italy. It features Mario, a former Ultra who admits to being involved in both violence and racism, and reflects on the normalization of such behavior within the stadium culture. The paragraph also presents the perspective of the police, who view the Ultras as a dangerous and growing threat, with some groups linked to far-right extremist movements across Europe. The narrative concludes with a discussion on the entrenched nature of hooliganism in football, suggesting that it is not a fading issue but rather one that is deeply ingrained in the sport's culture.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Violence

Violence in this context refers to the physical altercations and aggressive behavior that can occur among football fans, particularly the Ultras. It is a central theme in the video, highlighting the brutal and sudden nature of these incidents. The script mentions 'running street battles' and 'growing tide of violence' as examples of how violence manifests in Italian football culture.

💡Ultras

Ultras are the most dedicated club fans who are known for their intense support and sometimes for their involvement in violence and crime. The video discusses how these groups have leaders and are organized, with some members linked to far-right extremist movements. They are shown to have a strong sense of loyalty to their team and city, but also a willingness to engage in violent confrontations with rival groups.

💡Intimidation

Intimidation refers to the act of instilling fear or unease in others, often to gain control or advantage. In the context of the video, it is a pervasive atmosphere in Italian football, particularly among the Ultras. The presence of intimidation is felt in the air, as fans prepare for potential clashes and confrontations, creating a hostile environment for both rival fans and the general public.

💡Racism

Racism is the discrimination, prejudice, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior. The video addresses racism as a chronic problem in Italian football stadiums, with instances of racist chants and abuse directed at players. It is portrayed as a moment of anger that can occur during the high-stress and intense atmosphere of a football match.

💡Combat Training

Combat training is the practice of preparing for physical confrontations or fights, often through martial arts or other forms of physical conditioning. In the video, it is mentioned that many Ultras train for combat at a fight club, indicating their readiness and willingness to engage in violent activities during football events. This training is a reflection of the Ultras' commitment to their group and the potential for violence at football matches.

💡Police Organization

Police organization refers to the structured and coordinated efforts by law enforcement to maintain order and prevent crime. In the context of the video, the Italian police are depicted as highly organized in their efforts to manage and control football-related violence. They monitor Ultras groups and attempt to prevent clashes by segregating them during matches, showing a proactive approach to dealing with the resurgence of hooliganism in football.

💡Hooliganism

Hooliganism is the behavior of individuals or groups engaging in violent or destructive acts, often associated with sports events. The video discusses the problem of hooliganism in Italian football, indicating that it was a dormant issue that has returned and is getting worse. Hooliganism is linked to the Ultras, their organization, and the violence they perpetrate during football matches.

💡Rivalry

Rivalry is a competitive relationship between two or more parties, often characterized by mutual opposition and the desire to outdo one another. In the video, rivalry is a key factor in the tension and violence between different Ultras groups. The rivalry is not just about the teams they support but also extends to territorial claims and personal animosity.

💡Banning Orders

Banning orders are legal restrictions placed on individuals to prevent them from entering certain areas or participating in specific activities. In the context of the video, banning orders are used as a punitive measure against Ultras who have engaged in violent or disruptive behavior. These orders serve as a consequence for their actions, barring them from entering cities or stadiums where they might cause further trouble.

💡Extremism

Extremism refers to the advocacy of extreme measures or actions, often associated with radical political or social views. The video highlights the connection between Ultra groups and far-right extremist movements across Europe, suggesting that the violence and aggression seen in football culture are not isolated incidents but part of a larger, more volatile political landscape.

💡Resurgence

Resurgence refers to a situation where something that was previously declining or inactive starts to grow or become active again. In the video, the resurgence is used to describe the re-emergence of violent behavior among Ultras fans, indicating that the problem of hooliganism in football was previously thought to be fading but has instead come back with increased intensity.

Highlights

The ugly violent side of Italian football is explored, highlighting the sudden and brutal nature of the violence.

Street battles involving groups of Ultras, the most dedicated club fans, are discussed, with some linked to crime and violence.

Ultras groups are organized and have leaders, with Marco, the head of the Inter Milan CA Nord Ultras, being one of the most feared.

Intimidation and the appetite for fight are prevalent in Rome, with Ultras being prepared for potential clashes.

Italian football's problems with hooliganism, racism, and intimidation are becoming worse, raising questions about the sport's ties to these issues.

Many of the Milan Ultras train for combat at a fight club in the suburbs, viewing it as a religion and a way of life.

The Ultras are tied by loyalty to the team, the city, and each other, with some having lost their lives in fights.

Andrea, another Ultra with a history of violence, is referred to as Marco's 'war minister' and has faced consequences for his actions.

Donny, an AS Roma Ultra, enjoys fighting other fans, comparing it to going to war and experiencing adrenaline rushes.

Racism is a chronic problem in Italian stadiums, with instances of racist abuse towards players being highlighted.

Mario, a former Ultra for over 20 years, admits to being involved in both violence and racism, viewing it as normal behavior at the time.

The Rome control room is introduced, showing how the police manage their response to football violence and their perception of the Ultras.

Ultra groups are linked to far-right extremist movements across Europe, creating a volatile mix of football loyalty, violence, racism, and crime.

The resurgence of violent approaches among Ultras fans is noted, with no sign of their activities diminishing.

The transcript raises concerns about whether football can ever truly sever its ties with the demons of hooliganism and violence.

The transcript suggests that the Ultras' way of life is deeply ingrained in football culture, challenging previous assumptions that hooliganism would fade away.