Latin American fans
Liz Crolley
'Fútbol, Politicians and the People: Populism and Politics in Argentina'
During the 'infant' period of football's development in Argentina, the game was introduced, played, and run by the British population of Buenos Aires. 'Adolescence' brought the take over by Argentines of Italian and Spanish origin, and the conversion of football into fútbol. The complex network of political links between the state, the football association, football clubs, politicians and fans was developed during this period. All of these inter-relationships were consolidated and institutionalized during fútbol's mature stage. 'Maturity' also witnessed the escalation of politically motivated violence associated with the barras bravas. As long as the links betweenfútbol and politics continue, the system will be maintained.
© Frank Cass 2001
Real Madrid v Barcelona: the State against a Nation? The Changing Role of Football in Spain
The historical and contemporary links between football and the sociopolitical fabric of the country are complex in Spain. Many of the themes that exist in the game today predate Spain's major twentieth century upheavals of the Civil War (1936-39) and subsequent period of Franco's dictatorship (1939-75). The balance swings from football being used to promote an image of a single national identity (in the 1940s, during the early Franco years) to becoming a vehicle for nationalist/regionalist expression (particularly during the late Franco period and early phase of transition to democracy). The nature of the rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona offers an insight into the changing relationships between football, nations and the State in Spain.
© IJIS 1997
Football Spectator Behaviour in Argentina: a Case of Separate Evolution
There has been a separate and distinctive evolution of football related violence in Argentina. Fighting between rival gangs of fans in Argentina developed independently and considerably in advance of the modern phenomenon of football hooliganism in Britain. This case is argued using Argentine sources not previously translated into English. The distinctive features of Argentine football violence are described and the main differences in relation to England are outlined. Of paramount importance are the explicit political links of Argentine football clubs. Organised football preceded democratic politics in Argentina which resulted in the new political parties utilising the football infrastructure of neighbourhood-based clubs. The death rate associated with Argentine football is significantly higher than in England, and the role of the police is more negative in Argentina. In the conclusion a framework is proposed for the comparative and historical analysis of football related violence.
© The Editorial Board of The Sociological Review 1996
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