Football is a world of passions. But for some fans, passion turns into rage, and rage into war. Around the world, there are ultra-groups for whom supporting their favorite club is not about singing songs, but about knife fights, shootings, and even street wars with the police. The most warlike football fans don't just love their team—they live by a code of honor where the blood of the opponent (fan of another club) is a trophy. Who are these people? Where does such aggression come from? And why has football become a battlefield for them, not a game?

Argentina: Barra-Brava as a way of life

In Argentina, football hooligans are called "barra-brava." This is not a spontaneous group, but a well-organized mafia structure. They control ticket sales, parking, even influence the selection of players and coaches. The most famous groups are at the clubs "Boca Juniors" ("La 12") and "River Plate" ("Los Borrachos del Tablón"). Their confrontation has cost dozens of lives. In 2026, clashes continue despite police cordons. Argentine bars stab each other with knives, use stones, Molotov cocktails. Fatalities are common. The police are often helpless, as the ultras are connected with drug trafficking and corrupt politicians. For them, football is just an excuse to demonstrate power and settle scores.

Italy: Ultra-culture with roots in politics

Italian ultras are the classics of football violence. Groups like "Commando Ultrà Curva Sud" (Milan), "Irriducibili" (Lazio), and "Viking" (Juventus) are known for their ferocity. In the 1980s and 1990s, they effectively held Italian football hostage: fights on the pitch, invasions, police killings. After the tragedy at the Heysel stadium (1985, 39 Juventus fans died) and the death of police officer Filippo Raciti (2007), the authorities toughened laws. But the ultras adapted: they use "smart" violence—hit in the crowd, hide their faces under balaclavas. Many groups are associated with extremist political movements: "Lazio" with neo-fascists, "Livorno" with communists. In 2026, the Italian government is still trying to fight them, but the ultras remain a force that even the carabinieri fear.

Turkey: Fire, knives, and chaos

Turkish fans are known for their unbridled fury. Groups like "Karşıyaka" and "Çarşı" (Besiktas), as well as fans of "Galatasaray" ("ultrAslan") and "Fenerbahçe" ("Kill For You"), regularly organize pogroms. The rivalry between "Fenerbahçe" and "Galatasaray" is not just a derby, but a battle of two districts of Istanbul. Chains, bats, knives, and sometimes firearms are used. In 2024, a clash before a match cost three lives. The Turkish police use tear gas and water cannons, but the ultras, dressed in black, attack from rooftops and alleys. Their distinctive feature is that they are not afraid to die. Motivated by nationalism and religion, many consider themselves "warriors for the club," almost like jihadists.

Greece: "Bands" with an Olympic past

Greek ultras are among the most dangerous in Europe. Groups like "Gate 7" (Olympiacos), "Gate 13" (Panathinaikos), and "Sambocha" (AEK) do not lag behind the Italians. They use cold weapons and explosives. The rivalry between Olympiacos and Panathinaikos has escalated into a war in which dozens of fans died. Greece is also known for "assassin bands" — groups that attack police officers. In 2025, fans of PAOK organized a massacre in Thessaloniki, throwing stones at a bus with players of "Aris" and setting several cars on fire. The government is closing stadiums, but games are moved to neutral fields. However, the ultras find ways: they agree on battles in the city, in forests, where the police is helpless.

Poland and Serbia: Eastern brutality

Polish and Serbian fans are no longer just hooligans, but organized military groups. In Poland, groups like "Legia" ("Iron Brigade"), "Widzew," and "Szlenz" use professional combat techniques: reconnaissance, ambushes, coordination via radios. Battles with 100-200 people are common. In Serbia, "Grobari" (Partizan) and "Deli" (Red Star) are known for their particular ferocity and filming beatings. Their arsenal includes knives, brass knuckles, baseball bats, pepper spray. After matches, they hold parades through the streets of Belgrade, chanting nationalist slogans. In 2026, the Polish police created a special unit to combat football hooligans, but in Serbia, the ultras have influence over politicians, and they are almost untouched.

Russia: Around football and fighting traditions

Russian football hooligans ("okolofutbolka") became known to the world after Euro-2016 in France, where they caused riots in Marseille. Their approach is organized "ambushes" and "rollerblades" (mass fights with opponents). Groups like "Spartak" ("Fratia"), CSKA ("Yaroslavka"), "Zenit" ("Red-Blues"), "Lokomotiv" ("Kuzmichi") have a strict hierarchy, codes of clothing, and martial arts training. The main difference from Italian ultras is their disdain for cold weapons. They fight bare-handed, but often use rebar. In the 2020s, the police managed to calm down the Russian fans a bit, but clashes continue, especially in derbies. After the start of military action and Russia's exclusion from international tournaments, activity decreased, but internal fights have not been canceled.

Why are they so violent

The reasons are social and psychological. Poverty, lack of prospects, a sense of powerlessness before the authorities—all this boils down to aggression on the football stands. Ultra-groups give a sense of family, brotherhood, where you become someone. Rites, common uniforms, secret meetings—this is a substitute for the army. Plus, impunity: in many countries, the police turn a blind eye or are too corrupt to fight fan leaders. The Internet also fuels hatred: fight videos rack up millions of views, and young fans want fame.

The future of violent fanatism

Football associations and UEFA are taking measures: closing stadiums, fines for clubs, bans on fans traveling. In 2026, a "fan passport" system with biometrics was introduced in England. However, in countries with poor economies, violence is only increasing. As long as football remains an outlet for aggression, and the police do not learn to work with risk groups, violent fans will not disappear. Perhaps humanity should understand: football is a game, not a battlefield. But for now, stadiums around the world remain places where blood flows as much as adrenaline.

Permanent link to this publication: