Ultras

Ultras are a type of association football fans who are renowned for their fanatical support. The term originated in Italy, but is used worldwide to describe predominantly organised fans of association football teams. The behavioural tendency of ultras groups includes singing football chants, playing musical instruments such as drums, their use of flares and smoke bombs (primarily in tifo choreography), frequent use of elaborate displays, vocal support in large groups and the displaying of flags and banners at football stadiums, all of which are designed to create an atmosphere which encourages their own team and intimidates the opposing players and their supporters. These groups also commonly organise trips to attend away games.

Ultras groups have been responsible for many cases of football hooliganism and violence,^[1] although differently from hooligan firms, ultras do not have the explicit objective of fighting other fans.^[2] Ultras groups are also in some cases directly linked to ideologies like neo-Nazism and other forms of far-right politics,^[3][4][5] and sometimes far-left politics.^[6][7] In some instances, hooliganism and/or this politicisation goes to the point where support for their team is relegated to a secondary feature of the phenomenon.^[8]

In recent decades, the culture has become a focal point for the movement against the commercialisation of sports and football in particular.^[9] Ultras also have regional variants and analogues, such as hooligans in the United Kingdom, barra bravas in Hispanic America,^[10] and torcidas organizadas in Brazil.^[11]