Citation

Guschwan M. Soccer Soc. 2007; 8(2): 250-266.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/14660970701224467

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Italian soccer (aka football, or in Italian, calcio) fans are called tifosi, a nickname that equates their passion to the typhoid fever. This article gives a brief history of the ultras, the groups of hardcore tifosi that cheer, sing, protest and occasionally fight at soccer stadiums in Italy. These fans enact cultural performances that reflect Italian society and push society to change. The article decsribes the rivalry between Roman clubs A. S. Roma and S. S. Lazio as a prime example of a cultural performance. Italian Ultras culture is constantly evolving in response to changing economic and cultural conditions and opportunities. This article critiques these practices during the first part of the 21st century.