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Chants, Pyros and Riots


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The Ultras movement, or simply Ultras, is the name given to organized supporters' groups for sports teams, mostly European and South American supporters of football teams. These movements are also appearing in North African countries especially in Marocco and Tunisia. This fan sub-group appeared in Italy during the late 1960s when football teams reduced ticket prices on certain areas of the stadiums. Ultras do not have any relation with the British football firm and Casual cultures. Although violent acts might occur, hooligan acts are more the exception than the norm.

Ultra groups are homogeneous. They are usually organized by a core group (who usually have "executive control" over the group)controled by teh Capo/Kapo, surrounded by smaller groups. The material is also almost the same: standards (a piece of painted light fabric with two poles on each side), flags, both regular sized and large (with sides over 4 meters) and banners, usually large, durable plastic fabric painted and decorated with the name and symbology of the group it belongs. Most groups also sell their own goods like scarves, hats and jackets.

Documentaries on Ultras lifestyle:
Choreography:
Probably the most important part is the called vocal support. Each group has several football chants, mostly to their team, others for players and staff and finally, some reserved for their rivals. Most melodies are taken from popular songs. Some chants are copied from other groups and the names changed.
Before big matches most groups prepare a big choreography (or Tifo) to be displayed as the teams enter the field. Ranging in size as the financial capabilities of the groups allow, the giant choreographies can take from the complete top where the group is located to the complete stadium.Pyros (mainly smoke and flares), are aso used to make a great show.
Rivalries:
Although Ultras groups can become violent, unlike hooligans most games go with no incidents or minor scuffles with the local police force. Unlike hooligans, Ultras follow to support their team rather than go head to head against locals. Another difference between Ultras and hooligans is that the hooligans like to be inconspicuous when they travel as to avoid detection by police, whereas Ultras are the opposite as they like to be more conspicuous when they travel and like to arrive en masse, which allows the police to keep a close eye on their movements.
When trouble does break out it very much takes the form of a political riot similar to the ones in Italy in the 70's and the Carabinieri use the same tactics towards the Ultras as they did against political activists in the 70's.

Rivalries often mean, at less, more offensive chants, phrases or banners towards the other groups themselves, while the fiercest rivalries often include physical confrontation and capture of "enemy" banners. Losing a banner to a rival group is considered a big humiliation. The group that loses the flag is sometimes disbanded as a last act of honour.

A lot of big rivalries are from Italy, where rivalries between Ultra groups, and up to some degree between cities in general, have a long tradition. While some happen mostly for animosity towards the opposite side, mostly in derbies (Roma - Lazio, Torino - Juventus, Inter - Milan, Sampdoria - Genoa).

Ultras rivalries which often lead to some riots:
Like any other organization, Ultra groups have their share of detractors. From the most simple, related to how they follow the game, never sitting during matches while displaying dozens of standards affecting the view of those sitting behind these groups, to more serious criticisms like theft from highway service stations, physical assault or intimidation of "regular" fans and even murder of other groups' members.
Countries with the best Ultras scene:

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