In a new monthly column for the Gentleman Ultra, Federico Farcomeni is on the ground with all the latest news from the Italian football ultra scene. You can follow Federico’s weekly updates from the Curva on his Calcio Express substack.
Riots in Trieste
November didn’t have a soft start as Triestina and Brescia ultras clashed near Stadio Nereo Rocco ahead of their lunchtime kick-off. The riots broke out at around 11:30 AM, when a group of 50 Brescia ultras, arriving in minivans and private cars, attempted to approach the surroundings of the Curva Furlan in Via San Pantaleone. Confronted by a rival group of approximately 150, all masked, the two groups clashed using flagpoles, belts and bottles.
The swift intervention of the police attempted to limit damage and a DIGOS (special ops police) officer sustained serious injuries. Ten Brescia ultras were momentarily detained and identified by police. A couple of days later, two of them (aged 27 and 47) were then arrested and exercised their right to silence. A Triestina ultra was also arrested.
Disorder in Muggia
Not so far away, in Muggia, Pordenone had their own trouble with police as tension mounted after the final whistle. Controversially enough, both sets of fans had been enjoying and sharing a glass or two before kick-off. Then in the second half some infiltrators (Triestina ultras are inevitably suspects) began taunting away fans. Tensions rose, and police set up a cordon to separate visiting supporters from the rest of the home crowd. After the final whistle, DIGOS officers allowed home fans onto the pitch to prevent further clashes. Visiting fans were then escorted back to their coach, and chaos broke out as infiltrators began spitting down on Pordenone fans. A couple of police officers in riot gear then began hitting away supporters with batons, soon joined by their colleagues.
Ultras banned in Biella
Two ultras (aged 18 and 33) from Biella (about 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of Turin) were banned for one and two years respectively after clashes the previous weekend during the match against Derthona. It all kicked off when Biella fans attempted to push through the barriers to gain access to the visiting supporters section. Shortly before the end of the match, a group of Biella ultras, covered up with hoods, scarves, and sunglasses, left their section to approach the exit gate for the visiting fans. The intervention of the police prevented the two groups from clashing. UB73, Gioventù Biellese and Pounders, the main ultra groups, will boycott in protest at their next home game against Imperia.
Lazio remembers Paparelli
Lazio ultras remembered the death of Vincenzo Paparelli (killed by a rocket thrown from Roma’s Curva Sud in 1979) as they spelled out his name with their phones (see below), displayed his painting and chanted his name as Lazio and Cagliari took to the field.
In the second half they also displayed a banner sarcastically saying, “thanks coach, those 50 say hello!”. This was a hint to post-match comments from Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri who, after the game in Pisa, had said – “I hate collective punishments, if 1,150 out of 1,200 Lazio fans have always behaved well in all their away games, it’s not fair to ban them altogether” (leaving out 50 potential troublemakers).
Lazio ultras then announced they would stay away from the home game against Lecce in protest at the club’s decision not to let Vincenzo Paparelli’s granddaughter enter the athletics track and ignite the tifo honouring the memory of her late grandfather. This was obviously seen as retaliation against the ultras’ ongoing protest against the club.
Lazio and Inter united
More than 73,000 fans attended the game between Inter and Lazio at the San Siro. Away fans in attendance were 3,125 with the respective ultras paying tribute to the historical twinning between fanbases (now especially true at ultra level rather than the rest of the ground). Lazio ultras also incessantly waved their huge white and sky-blue flags to make themselves more visible from the third tier, then displayed a banner showing happiness about their Inter counterparts being back at their regular seats at the Green Second Tier.
Atalanta ultras conquer Europe
Ahead of their Europa League semifinal in Marseille 18 months ago, local authorities deployed 1,000 police officers adopting anti-terrorism measures when Atalanta travelled to Southern France. For their Champions League clash in November instead, numbers had decreased, yet 453 Atalanta ultras made the trip to the Velodrome and were banned from the city centre – no parking or driving was allowed to those claiming to be Atalanta fans or “acting as such.” In a statement, the club also advised its fans to avoid the city centre and the area of the Old Port. Atalanta fans eventually had to reach the Velodrome by underground only, as the first ticket checks were carried out before boarding the metro – after gathering at Place de la Joliette, they departed at 5:45 PM escorted by local police.
Later in November, Atalanta renewed their unbreakable 25-year twinning with Eintracht in Frankfurt. Both sets of ultras marched together to the Waldstadion, then displayed two brilliant tifos in the Champions League, celebrating their friendship born by chance on a train to Treviso as the Nomadi met Ultras Frankfurt. The Germans displayed a banner in Italian (Nelle strade, alla partita, per tutta la vita – in the streets, at the game, for all our lives), whilst the Italians (more than 3,000 in attendance) displayed a banner in German (Für unser ganzes leben – for all our life) and both stayed throughout the whole game. Atalanta’s players De Roon and Raimondi even went to clap Frankfurt ultras at the very end and the Germans responded even louder than when their own players went to greet them despite the final result.
Old school pyro in Bologna
Bologna ultras welcomed Brann and their team on the pitch with a sensational set of old-style pyrotechnics, something which we don’t really see much in Italy these days, although Brescia ultras had also welcomed their team as they started their season in the hell of the third tier in August. After the pyro show in though, Bologna ultras were denied the possibility of bringing megaphones, drummers and even tables to sell their own merchandising outside the Curva Costa. In sign of protest, leading ultra groups decided to present a bare version of themselves in the top match against Napoli – no banners, flags, drummers or people starting songs from the railings. “Is this what Bolognese and Bologna really want?”
All roads lead to … Glasgow
Roma ultras (1,500 travelled to Glasgow) were making themselves heard as they tried to make new enemies as they marched towards Ibrox in the Europa League. Once inside the imposing Glasgow stadium, a heavy steward and police presence prevented any contact with local supporters, while two safety areas also prevented them from getting any closer to Rangers fans.
Mantova Ultras retire historic banner
After 38 years, Mantova’s Virgilians Kaos banner (VK Ovunque / VK Everywhere) reached the end of its long journey. A symbol of an ultras group born of the Curva Te, it has followed Mantova all over Italy — home and away, in every division. That banner has told the story of Mantova’s ultras scene since the 1980s, when Riccardo “Franz” Franzoni helped organize and unite local supporters, creating a movement that lived on for more than four decades.
Riccardo was the leader who helped shape Mantova’s ultra culture and also actively contributed to the twinning with Cesena fans. But, on 23 June 1996, Franz lost his life in a car accident on the way back from a match. From that day on, the banner carrying his name — VK Everywhere, Franz’s flag — became a tribute to his memory and his passion.
Initially used by Riccardo himself as his flag, the banner has been displayed at every game, in every stadium. As announced on Sunday evening, Virgilians have decided to return the banner to Franz’s mother Amabilia. It’s a deeply symbolic and emotional gesture, which coincided with an away win at Sampdoria over the weekend — the banner’s last appearance, fittingly, seen once more on the terraces at Marassi.
Lens ultras in France (Red Tigers) then displayed a banner of solidarity with their friends from Mantova’s Curva Te: “you can’t ban passion / respect for Curva Te.”
Trouble in Turin
Torino ultras attempted twice to find their rivals ahead of the Mole derby. On the eve of the game, around 50 Granata tried to reach a mob of Juventus ultras in the city centre in Piazza Vittorio Veneto. Police prevented any clashes, though, as they stopped and searched the group. The following day, some other Torino ultras attempted to reach Allianz Stadium by taxi but police in riot gear once more prevented any trouble as they stopped and searched the taxis before they could reach their target. Inside the stadium, a Juve fan was shown whilst making a hand gesture interpreted as a hint to the Superga air disaster – Torino fans demanded a life-ban but Juve would eventually just fine him €167 for a violation of the stadium rules.
Four hundred Juventus fans attended their away game in Bodo in the Champions League and the club even “rewarded” them with a 30 euro-voucher to spend at the Juventus’ official store. The important news though is that the Drughi fan group managed to sneak into the ground every single letter of their name and formed a makeshift version of their famous banner which appeared for the first time since 2019 (Florence away).
The struggle continues in Milan
After their head-to-head with the club who had banned certain fans, flags and banners over the summer, leading to a temporary suspension of the organized support from home games, attention has now turned to the struggles to get hold of tickets for away games. In a statement, Milan ultras complained about how tough it has been so far with no virtual “tiers” and rewards for the most faithful – actually, they are calling for a credit score to be implemented into the ticketing system. While such systems have been in operation in England for decades, the same isn’t true for Italian clubs.
“Stronger than those who want us dead!”
This was the words chosen by AC Milan ultras on their banner and lit up some flares outside the San Siro in response to more repressive measures ahead of the Milanese derby. As local authorities prevented the banner “Sodalizio” (which means “association”) from entering the stadium. Instead, the red and black ultras formed the word “Sodalizio” in the stand.
Official statement from the Genoa Ultras
“After a deep and honest discussion among us, and following a careful analysis of the current situation, the ultra groups of the Gradinata Nord have jointly decided to dissolve the Gradinata Nord Directive. From today, every Ultras group in the Gradinata will represent only itself — its own identity, history, and way of being Ultras. This is a change in FORM, but not in SUBSTANCE. Let’s all stay united in supporting and defending our beloved Griffin. Side by side, at home and away, as always. Each group will contribute to the good of Genoa and the Gradinata Nord with its own commitment, voice, and passion. Every single Ultras member IS and WILL BE essential in carrying forward our faith and our values. Dialogue and coordination will continue to be strong, true, and real — just like our passion. All ULTRAS members will guarantee respect for the rules, values, and mentality that have always distinguished the Gradinata Nord.
LIVING ULTRAS … MEANS SUPPORTING GENOA
The Ultras Groups of the Gradinata Nord”
Italian Ultras cry shame at WC blow
Five hundred Italian ultras travelled to Chisinau for the crucial World Cup Qualifier against Moldova and then chanted against the players (“shame!”), as Italy head for another playoff clash to avoid missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time. Banners included a tribute to Gabriele Sandri (the Lazio fan killed by a police officer in 2007), another against Lega Serie A’s decision to play Milan v Como in Australia (“respect the tradition, Italian football to be played in our nation”), and another one against restrictions on away games (“stop punishments, free away games!”). Another banner instead hinted at the tragic death of Raffaele Marianella, the Pistoia coach driver who was hit by a stone thrown by Rieti ultras: “a tragic fatality, yet pointing the finger will never be our mentality”. They were mostly signed as “I ragazzi con i tricolori” (the boys with the tricolour flags).
SPAL Fury
SPAL played Sant’Agostino during the international break. For capacity reasons, authorities set the stage in Rovigo (neutral ground) for this game. Curva Ovest Ferrara travelled in good numbers by train (around 2,000). With the teams still on the pitch and the score at 2-1 (the guests eventually drew 2-2 in the last minute), away fans started throwing smoke bombs and flares on the pitch, attempting to climb over the fence, invade the pitch and get to their manager and players. The club was subsequently fined just 600 euros.
Chaos in Chieti
Similarly, Chieti ultras turned their anger towards their players after losing away to Recanatese. As the team coach was close to Loreto’s toll, the black and green ultras (who had reached Porto Recanati with two 9-seaters) started to throw stones at their own players and crashed one of the windows. A 37-year old was then taken to hospital in Ancona after being run over by an elderly lady but police are still investigating his involvement with the incident and have seized his mobile phone. Meanwhile, police have identified 15 ultras and local authorities have put Chieti’s next home game against Ostiamare behind closed doors.
Brescia power play
Brescia played local team Ospitaletto last weekend (20 miles separate the two stadiums) but there were no away fans in attendance. After the clashes in Trieste, those in the know thought that Brescia ultras could have been banned from travelling for the next few games, but the ban didn’t formally materialize. In fact, in order to avoid crowd disturbances, residents in the city of Brescia were banned from buying a ticket for the game (whereas anyone else could buy one). Obviously, Ultras Brescia responded by not attending the game at all – and authorities know that the vast majority of Brescia fans are indeed resident in the city itself rather than in the province. Interestingly, outside the Gino Corioni Stadium (named after former Brescia president), the ultra group “Brescia 1911” had left their mark with a couple of stickers, one claiming “I don’t support Salò” (hinting at the rebirth of the club last summer – we talked about it here). Because of the unauthorized protest staged in the city centre in June against a potential merge, three of them on Friday have then been notified with an expulsion order from the City of Brescia (!) – two for four years and the other for three years.
“Juve Merda”
After their irreverent tifo last season (“Juve Merda”), local authorities banned Fiorentina ultras from displaying anything in their game against Juventus. The Curva Fiesole groups responded by inviting other fans to meet up at Piazza della Libertà (that is where the Police HQ is) at 12:30 PM on matchday in order to march together towards the Franchi stadium ahead of the big game (they eventually scooter rushed to the ground). On the other side, police didn’t let 14 Juventus ultras in as they didn’t have a ticket, hence Viking and other groups only entered the ground for 10 minutes and then left. No tifo presence resulted in a very dull atmosphere.
Padova maximum security
Padova ultras won’t sing or wave any flag or hang any banner in the first 20 minutes of their derby against Venezia on Saturday. The decision being taken after local authorities have banned away fans for this fixture. A statement from the Biancoscudati ultras read: “”What was once a highly anticipated derby has turned into just another match,” the ultras said, accusing law enforcement and institutions of abandoning their responsibility to maintain public order after turning the Euganeo district into a maximum-security prison. “Therefore, for the first twenty minutes, there will be no flags, colours, or cheering, but rather a deafening silence intended to make us reflect on the devastation carried out [on this occasion]. We invite all sectors and various fringes of the fan community to join us in this significant protest.”
Ultras Banned
No ultras at all instead in the Carrarese v Reggiana game on Saturday. Local ultras will stay away until completion of the renovation works of their terrace, whilst away ultras won’t travel to Stadio Dei Marmi after a ban imposed due to their clashes with Modena around a month ago. There used to be a twinning between the two fanbases and even after it stopped, mutual respect was carried out in other encounters.
Udinese and Bologna clash
Clashes erupted after the match between Udinese and Bologna between a group of visiting ultras and police. According to reports, Bologna supporters—approximately 120 people—refused to reboard the buses they had taken to the stadium when they learned that the convoy would be escorted, as is standard procedure, out of Udine. In the clashes, which continued for several minutes, five Carabinieri officers and two police officers sustained minor injuries, which they were then treated for in hospital. A couple of days later, Bologna ultras released a statement claiming this wasn’t the real version of the story – in fact, “the charges received outside the away section were harsh, unwarranted, and unjustified, as were the recent legal proceedings, a direct result of the mood that has now become untenable in the whole country.” In the statement, the Curva Costa ultras also pointed their finger at the media as all articles used pictures of other events.
Avellino remembers the quake
Curva Sud Avellino commemorated the anniversary of the earthquake of 23rd November 1980, by honouring the victims and paying tribute to the heroes of 45 years ago in the game against Empoli, as they displayed two banners: “And we never bowed our heads to the blows of fate, chasing life we overcame the night.” These banners were separated by a photo of children playing football just meters away from the rubble. Then the chant “We are earthquake victims” rose, as the rest of the stadium applauded.
The immortal ultras
Cremonese ultras remembered PSG’s Julien Quemener and Lazio’s Gabriele Sandri during their home fixture v Roma. Banner read: “Time doesn’t delete memories / ideals remain / Julien and Gabriele are immortals”.
Good reads
Back in May, the Ingrifati Perugia ultras group published a book celebrating their 35th anniversary. It sounds and looks very promising too. Four and a half years of work brought this special project to life, telling the story of 35 years of Ingrifati and 50 years of the ultras scene in Perugia.
“We listened to everything that came before us from those who were there, to report it in their own words in a dedicated chapter. We asked the generations who lived with the group to tell us everything about the Ingrifati. All the “damage” of 35 years is concentrated in a chapter that “enemy by enemy” recounts encounters and clashes around Italy and beyond. And then there’s so much more! We’re proud of this work and can’t wait for you to read it, and look at it, along with its hundreds of photos”.
The book is priced at 50 euros. Vinyl including two symbolic tracks (Bar Daspo + Curi 8) comes at 10 euros. Book + vinyl combo priced at 57 euros
A simple and effective smoke bomb-tifo from Modena ultras in their home game against Südtirol as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Ultras movement in their town. A book was also released on the same occasion available to buy here.
You can follow Federico’s weekly updates from the Curva on his Calcio Express substack.