Citation

Scalia V. Int. Rev. Sociol. Sport 2009; 44(1): 41-53.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, International Sociology of Sport Association, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1012690208101682

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Two people, a policeman and a football (soccer) supporter, died in Italy in 2007 after clashes between police and football supporters. Italian public opinion asked for more repressive measures to fight football related violence. Both politicians and football clubs supported this view, thus blaming ultras, as Italian organized football supporters are called, for wrecking football. That does not acknowledge the place of ultras in Italian football culture. Ultras are organized groups with an independent subculture that enjoys the legitimacy of other football supporters. Their organization, their reputation, made them suitable for a role of intermediation between supporters, politics and clubs. As a consequence of this, both politicians and football clubs use ultras for their purposes.