Fanaticism: A Sport in Itself

Soccer is unequivocally the most popular sport in the world. More than 3.5 billion people watched the World Cup this summer, and in Europe alone professional soccer is estimated to have a market value upwards of 25 billion dollars.

The rising popularity of football, as it’s called everywhere except in the US, has also paved the way for the formation of club loyalists, whose chanting, singing, and general debauchery are almost as entertaining as the game itself. Ultras, as these groups are formally called, have become an essential part of the game. In Argentina and England, for example, fan culture has emerged in a way that gives club supporters a more prominent role during the ninety minutes of play. River Plate’s “Barra Brava” or Boca’s “La 12” are two ultras that encapsulate the heart of the team, bringing in people together and creating a platform where entire stadiums can unite in harmony.

And yet, beneath it all, lies the toxic side of soccer’s fan culture. The world’s most famous fan bases such as Argentina’s “hinchadas” or Turkey’s “Ultraslan” are also known for their disruptive, sometimes violent activities.

When it comes to ASFM’s very own version of “libres y locos”, I feel both excited and perturbed. For starters, the fact that people devote so much passion to a team that won’t give them anything in return other than the joy of being part of something big is quite primitive and disturbing. There is a chance to promote school spirit, of course, but there is also the distinct possibility that things may spiral out of control. Even more disturbing is the fact that that the school is making such a big deal about it when in reality, a significant amount of the people who made up la Iracheta last year didn’t really care about the game’s outcome. Many students were only in it for the fun of getting worked up by imitating a crazy mob of vandals who get high before getting to the stands.

Despite the facts though, it is clear that our fascination with ultras won’t go away anytime soon. The complex controversy behind ultras goes way beyond football. Individuals who choose which soccer club to root for choose in the midst of a variety of factors including social and economic status, geographic proximity, race, and ideology. So, in a way, ultras can even represent individual identity. Moreover, it may just be that the primitive, irrational characteristic of ultras is what makes them so powerful and so amazing to watch. In all honesty, I don’t think I’ll watch the game away from the stands just yet.