FOOTY FAIR

Foto Friday: Ukraine's Metalist Kharkiv Ultras

2015-11-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

Ukrainian photographer Alina Bessalova has photographed her hometown ultras before. This is her third album of the group, capturing the intensity of ultra culture in Eastern Ukraine, a city that has seen their club win one title (1981 Soviet First League) since it was founded 90 years ago.

Ink: Incredible Ultras Tattoos

2015-08-16T08:00:00.000-04:00

Usually on our weekly installment of Ink we feature a collection of tattoos dedicated to a single club or footballer. Today I decided to switch it up a bit and showcase a few tattoos from the supporters of various clubs. The one thing they all have in common is the fact that they belong to the most extreme wing of support across Europe...the Ultra movement.

Supporters Sections and Flags

2015-07-21T12:00:00.000-04:00

This past Saturday I took up a spot, for the first time this season, in section 114 at BMO Field with my brother, father and a large group of friends with Toronto FC supporters group Inebriatti.

The support in the stands as our local side took down the Philadelphia Union was terrific, reminiscent of some of the great nights we had in the first three or four years of supporting the club before things went sour for a variety of reasons.

As I made my way home on the GO Train later that night, still buzzing from the fun we'd had in the stands and from seeing TFC turn in a great display, I jumped on Twitter to read a recap of the match.

Before I got as far as a match report to my surprise I found that not everyone in the South End had shared my views on the way the day unfolded though.

Duane Rollins, Managing Editor of the Canadian Soccer News and a fairly well known TFC supporter, reported that there had been several complaints from fans at the top of section 114 and 115 who were annoyed at the flags being waved by supporters during the match.

It's important to note that it wasn't Rollins making the complaints himself, but rather noting that other "people were angry" and the club should address it because "punches will get thrown."

This threw me for a loop as I assumed that, by what is in fact the ninth season of the club's existence, someone taking up a spot in the South End at BMO Field would understand that they're in a supporters section and what that means.

In my apparent ignorance I believed that BMO Field's South End denizens would know that besides fans standing for the duration of the match, flags and other displays may obscure some of their view.

In fact, the club itself has helpfully posted on their website the following description of the sections in question:

"For all Toronto FC matches, sections 111 through 119, as well as the top half of section 110 and part of section 127 are considered Supporters Sections. Fans in these sections will be permitted to stand during play and are encouraged to cheer and use pre-approved banners, flags and drums. Please note that the view from these seats may be obstructed and that all banners, flags and drums must be approved in advance of gameday by the Toronto FC front office."

There are also signs in these particular sections that state something to the same effect.

So what is the problem?

Do those complaining not want to be in a supporters section where the reality of drums, flags and displays are very much a reality, or do they want a supporters section on their terms where a group like Inebriatti can entertain them with their passion, but not do anything to block a second of the action?

Or are they in the section because of the cheaper price point these seats are sold at?

I'm not trying to belittle those with complaints, because I respect the fact that we all like to watch and experience football in our own ways, but if having supporter's groups waving flags and hoisting up displays angers you, perhaps you don't appreciate what it is they're trying to do and should look to move into a different section.

Some might argue that they have been in the section since day one and Inebriatti is somewhat of a newcomer to 114 having been established for just a few years, which I can certainly understand. But again the South End has been designated a supporters section since day one and this group isn't breaking any of the rules the club laid out for areas in the ground like this.

Hopefully a compromise can be reached, because from my humble opinion it's great to see what they and the other supporters groups have been doing this season.

For the record I'm not a member of Inebriatti, but I do have friends that are. I think they and the other supporters groups put a lot of time, effort, and money into supporting the club. The passion they help stir up in the crowd is part of the match day experience and I actually believe this does help the team.

Toronto, as a city, has gotten a lot of flack in recent weeks for our capacity to complain about everything. Complaining about how people are supporting in a supporters section seems to be another example of that.

It would be interesting to know what is happening in other grounds around the league in regards to flags and what some of the folks affected at BMO feel about this issue. Comments below are welcomed and appreciated.

Football and Fashion

2015-02-28T20:00:00.000-05:00

It's often debated when fashionable labels started popping up on the terraces in England, but in most corners it's accepted that in was in the mid-1970's that the later dubbed 'Casual' subculture began to emerge.

With groups of supporters, and occasionally hooligans, wanting to look smart in and around football grounds brands such as Fiorucci, Lacoste, Tacchini, and Fila became their clothing items of choice. In terms of trainers, the classic Adidas Gazelle was a popular favourite.

Introduced by the German sportswear giant in 1968, the Gazelle has barely changed over the years and still remains popular to this day. It was at it's height though in the early 1980's when it became widely seen on the terraces.

The success of the Gazelle might be largely down to it's simple, yet elegant and light weight design. Sporting the iconic Adidas three-stripe, it's also available in a wide range of colours.

In more recent years, labels such as Stone Island, Lonsdale, Burberry and Fred Perry came into prominence with supporters, occassionally to the chagrin though of these respective companies as some of their products have rightly, or wrongly, been associated with hooliganism.

Here in North America, with some minor exceptions, there haven't been too many fashion trends that have spread between clubs. A quick scan of the crowd at most MLS grounds will reveal that the majority of fans wear an item of official club gear and pair of jeans or shorts.

That said, we had a few interesting characters in my old section that brought some of the trends from the old country back with them. Despite one guy's best efforts, getting the guys in our group to start wearing capri pants was a non-starter. Head in hands however, I can admit to purchasing a pair of Nike capri around this time, that in all honestly looked utterly ridiculous.

The "Liam Gallagher wasted on controlled substances at Glastonbury" Kangol bucket hats also made an appearance one season, but were quickly relegated to back of the offending parties closets before long.

One fashion item that seemed restricted to one particular person was a fanny pack. In my experience only morbidly obese people, who were obsessed with train schedules wore fanny packs. They usually stored three day old egg salad sandwiches that smelled like farts in them.

This guy explained though that all of the Ultras in Poland wore them to store their wallets, keys and cellphones. That made sense, I guess, but I wasn't going to fucking wear one.

He did share with me a link to a clothing site in Eastern Europe where you could get the latest clobber from over there at reasonable prices. I excitedly picked out a great looking black hoodie, but once I showed him what I was planning on buying he told me that brand was only worn by far right racists. I obviously couldn't wear a racist hoodie, so I had to opt for a safer, more inclusive sweater that was less hate mongering. Fucking racists ruin everything don't they?

Another friend of mine, around that time, starting sporting an Armani man purse. I thought it looked nuts, but he insisted that a lot of Serie A supporters wore them and since he's a nice guy I didn't call him on the legitimacy of that claim.

In the absence of any sustained clothing trends taking hold, at least with my club, in the MLS it would seem that fashion here is a very personal thing and maybe that's not a bad thing.

You Try Being Jesus If You Think It's Easy

2014-10-14T18:00:00.000-04:00

Back in the day, footballers in the big leagues across Europe, didn't make that much more than the average working man or woman, and would regularly be seen in shops, pubs, or even on trains with the rest of the normal folks.

Somewhere along the line though salaries went into the stratosphere and footballers became part of 'the bubble' occupied by celebrities and cut off from the rest of us.

They bought big houses in exclusive gated communities, went on ridiculously expensive seven star holidays in Dubai, picked up super cars for extortionate prices and hired nannies to look after their kids, and occasionally have affairs with.

Yes, the life of the footballer at the elite level certainly became grand, but they lost their connection to the fans as a result.

In recent years the emergence of Twitter has given players a chance to reconnect with supporters though and it was in this spirit that Inter Milan defender Juan Jesus reached out to his 122,000 followers this week.

Ciao a tutti, solo per farvi un saluto. Comunque vada stiamo sempre insieme. Un abbraccio a voi #jj5 #forzainter
— Juan 5 Jesus (@juan5jesus) October 13, 2014

“Whatever happens we are always together. A hug to you,” the Brazilian centre-half Tweeted, rather innocently.

Unfortunately, with Inter sitting in tenth place in Serie A and playing some dreadful football so far this season, his tweet met with a bit of a backlash from some of the club's frustrated supporters.

One particularly annoyed fan of the Nerazzurri replied to Jesus' tweet with, “Whatever happens you always take your salary!! Wake up!! You need to win.”

The Brazilian international then adopted the typical, 'let's see you do better defense' when he countered with: “You’ve always got money on your mind. It’s easy for you to say, I’d like to see you on the field.”

To which the fan shot back that Jesus needs to "adopt a different mentality."

Jesus was not amused and fired back with the following:

“How about we swap places? I’ll give you my wages and you live my life (training, travel, games). According to you we do things for a laugh,” Jesus tweeted.

“You don’t know how much I suffer to lose even if it’s to half a goal.

“So do this: ensure that you do everything you can as a supporter and we’ll do our part on the pitch.”

I hope for Juan Jesus' sake that Inter's form improves and he himself plays a role in their better form, as he surely hasn't endeared himself to the Nerazzurri faithful with this little hissy fit.

Roma and CSKA Moscow Face Uefa Sanctions

2014-09-28T18:00:00.000-04:00

Following an ugly incident on Wednesday night, when visiting CSKA fans through flares at their Roma counterparts kicking off retribution and further violence, both clubs are facing sanctions.

It's the second season in a row that CSKA have run afoul of UEFA, after a section of their support racially abused Manchester City during a 2-1 defeat last term and were punished by having a section of their stadium closed.

The trouble in Rome this week began when CSKA supporters threw flares into the Roma section and these were quickly returned by the Italians. The Russians then attempted to storm the Roma end and were met with security forces who they clashed with.

Following the match there was further fighting outside the ground and reports of at least two CSKA fans being hospitalized.

UEFA are also investigating allegations of racist chanting by both sides and issued the following statement:

"Disciplinary proceedings have been opened against: Roma for setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles (art. 16 (2) (b) and (c) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations) and insufficient organisation (art 38 Safety & Security regulation),"

"CSKA for the racist behaviour of supporters (art. 14 of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations), crowd disturbance (art. 16 (2) (h) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations), setting off/throwing of fireworks and missiles (art. 16 (2) (b) and (c) of the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations).

"The case will be dealt by the Uefa Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body."

If either club, or both, are sanctioned by UEFA, it will affect their next Champions League group stage matches against Manchester City.

Roma are due to play at the Etihad on September 30 and City will visit Moscow on October 21.

The sanctions could include a reduction of tickets allocated to either club, fines to the club and/or other restrictions for supporters.

Football Club Babes - Female Ultras (Gallery)

2014-09-22T12:00:00.000-04:00

Mondays suck we know, so every week on this very crappy day of the week we give you 20 fine Football Club Babes. This week however, the lineup is a bit more bad-ass than usual. We give you some fine Ultras of the female variety.

Mid-Week Rants: Eliminating Ultras Culture, Eliminating Football’s Identity

2014-07-23T15:00:00.000-04:00

Football fanatics are first and foremost associated by many with violence, illegal pyro displays and profane chants directed at the opposition. A “nuisance” to club owners and families attending matches. But what many seem to ignore, is that these groups which are rapidly being exiled from stadiums worldwide, are pretty much the only individuals still fighting to preserve the identity and individuality of their clubs.

When I fell in love with football it wasn't just for the play on the pitch. It was for the history, the colors and the pride that is associated with supporting your club. The passion that drives the true supporter to put one’s team ahead of any opposition is what makes the game unique and unlike any other around the globe. While in many countries these individualities still exist, in many others they are becoming null and unimportant. Focus is quickly shifting to the financial gain of the owners and providing a generic experience for people who want nothing more than to simply tell somebody they were at the match.

Football stadiums around the world are slowly turning into theatre-like venues. With “fans” planted in their seats, taking “selfies” with their mobile phones, the home-field advantage for the local club is becoming nothing more than the convenience of sleeping in their own bed after the match is done. Aside from the architectural design, venues are becoming more and more similar to one another with atmospheres comparable to those of a Cirque du Soleil show or a Broadway musical.

Of course there are passionate fans around the world who follow their club with pride, sing the songs and during losses endure the indescribable pain that can only be experienced by true love and obsession for one’s beloved club; fans that don’t fall into the category of an “ultra”. But do these individuals have the capacity to halt the ever fading individuality of their team?

While most football clubs around the world belong to one of the extremes, either allowing fanaticism to its highest extent or not even allowing beer in its stadium seats; some organizations around the world managed to preserve their supporters’ passion while still being able to avoid major altercations and create a great stadium environment for their “cash-cow” family oriented ticket holders. Borussia Dortmund of the German Bundesliga for instance have a great understanding between their front office and their passionate supporters groups, keeping both the identity of its club and stadium on display while allowing a white-collar fan to attend the match without having to worry about losing a cufflink during a scuffle.

Many “fanatic” supporter groups around the world are very organized. They have goals, and no matter how big or small their football club may be, their beliefs lie with their club’s success and preservation of its origin, history, colors, individuality and pride. They are the groups that while being “chased off” by many club head offices around the world, are the ones that create a unique atmosphere inside the stadium. They are the groups that stand between football’s individuality’s disappearance and the continuance of such aspects of the game that most passionate fans have come to love at a very young age.

Violence of course, has no place inside a stadium. Racism as well has been a dark spot on many clubs’ supporters. But if we come to understand that this behavior is rarely of the mass, but rather of a confused individual, and clubs agree to listen and organize with their true supporters, football clubs everywhere can regain (or keep) their traditions and unique characteristics.

What happens when kids are not exposed to true football support

Tel Aviv Derby - Football Rivalries - Hapoel vs Maccabi

2014-07-21T09:00:00.000-04:00

It may seem "small-time" to football enthusiasts outside of Israel, but the Tel-Aviv derby between Hapoel and Maccabi is a very heated one, and one I have attended in the past.

Maccabi Tel Aviv is the most successful domestic side in Israel with 20 league titles won in the club's history, while Hapoel is not too far behind with 13 of their own. The rivalry between the two sides dates back to the 1930's when the two sides met for the first time in league play in 1931.

Maccabi, a name associated more with the middle-class status compared to "Hapoel", a worker class distinction for the Israeli population with the word "hapoel" meaning "worker", having more of a blue-collar supporter base.

Overall Maccabi has enjoyed a bit more success both in league titles and meetings between the two associations. And while the rivalry stretches further than just football, in basketball Maccabi has been in the elite of Israel's league and European competition, Hapoel is known best for its football program and its incredible European run in the 2001-01 UEFA Cup season in which they managed to defeat Lokomotiv Moscow, Chelsea and Parma, before losing in the quarter-finals to AC Milan in a close margin 2-1 on aggregate.

Supporter clashes between the two clubs are not uncommon. Fans of the two sides often engage in disputes inside and outside of the stadium both on match-days and otherwise.

Hapoel Tel-Aviv's home ground is the 14,000+ Bloomfield Stadium, which the "Red Devils" of Israel have occupied as their home since 1962. And while Maccabi has played their home matches in that same field earlier in their club's history, they had a ground of their own for a few decades. But in 2000 it was decided that Maccabi Tel-Aviv would return to Bloomfield stadium and have it as their home-field venue; a decision that likely sparked an even higher degree of hate between the two rival clubs.

When the derby takes place in Bloomfield, sections 4 and 5 are occupied by the Hapoel Ultras, while on the opposite side sections 10 and 11 are reserved for the Maccabi fans.

Some notable figures in the derby include: Ghanaian footballer John Paintsil who has played for both clubs and waved an Israeli flag after scoring a goal during the 2006 World Cup, Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who has also played for both clubs but spent 4 years with Hapoel, compared to the one loan season with their rivals, Welsh international striker who had spent time with Maccabi and of course former Chelsea FC manager Avram Grant who had coached Maccabi on two occasions. The son of Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, Jordi, is currently the sporting director at Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

Kıtalararası - Football Rivalries - Fenerbahçe SK vs Galatasaray SK

2014-05-19T14:48:00.000-04:00

In this week’s edition of Football Rivalries we take a look at the Kitalararasi Derbi, one of the most heated rivalries in club football history. This is the meeting between bitter rivals and the biggest clubs in both Istanbul and all of Turkey, Fenerbahçe SK and Galatasaray SK.

The Kitalararasi Derbi has been around for over 100 years now, with the first meeting between the two clubs taking place in 1909, and contested 377 times since. In 1934, during a (ironically) friendly match between the two sides, both players and fans began to fight after a series of “unsportsmanlike” fouls committed by the footballers. This was believed to be the event that started this long-standing hate between the supporters of the opposing clubs, for one another.

Hooliganism and clashing supporters is one of the biggest trade-marks of this rivalry, with both clubs having the largest contingents in the country, it is not uncommon to come across fighting and rioting before, during and after the derby takes place. Stabbings are usually the most common form of violence between supporters in Turkey and the latest death due to fan clashing happened in 2013, when a Fenerbahçe supporter was stabbed by a group of Galatasaray fans, he later died in the hospital.

Genç Fenerbahçeliler

The largest group of Fenerbahçe supporters in the one that is made of a few subgroups, the Genç Fenerbahçeliler. They are known world-wide for their incredible displays (TIFOs) usually just before the match kicks-off.

UltrAslan

UltrAslan is also popular around the world, as the fanatic supporters of Galatasaray. Known for their incredibly organized chanting and (of course) some violence, these supporters are so engaged in supporting their club, that at one point they even managed to collect money from their own merchandise sales to help out the Istanbul club when it was in financial trouble.

Graeme Souness Plants a Flag

In 1996, the Scot manager of Galatasaray decided to fuel the fire that is this derby, by doing something that is seen by the Fenerbahce supporters as one of the most disrespectful moves ever made against their club since its inception in 1907. After an extra-time Galatasaray victory over rivals Fenerbahçe at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Souness decided to prove a point by planting a rather large Galatasaray flag, right in the middle of the pitch. A celebratory gesture that was not welcome by the Fenerbahçe.

This derby is well known around the world as one of the top rivalries in club football, with many footballers and managers describing the event as something they have never experienced anywhere else.

Weekend Recap - Top 5 Matches

2014-05-13T12:36:00.001-04:00

#5 - Sparta Prague vs. Sigma Olomouc 5-0

With one win away from guaranteeing their first league title in 4 years, Sparta Prague was out to show why they had only 1 league loss all year. With 2 goals in the first half and another 3 in the second, the club from Prague got to lift the trophy in front of their home supporters.

#4 - Fluminense vs. Flamengo (Fla-Flu Derby)

When these two Rio de Janeiro rivals meet, it makes no difference whether it is only 4 games or 24 games into the season. Bragging rights are on the line and the clubs would do anything to win this derby every time. Fluminense were the victors in this one with goals from former Olympic Lyon striker Fred and one late in the match from youngster Chiquinho who ran straight to the supporters knowing how important this victory is to the home crowd.

#3 - Real Betis vs. Valladolid 4-3

19th place La Liga clubValladolid traveled to the Benito Villamarín stadium in Seville with high hopes of an easy win that would most likely get them out of a relegation spot against a Real Betis squad that has already confirmed relegation after an awful season in the Spanish first tier. Valladolid went on top in just the 1st minute and their future looked pretty secure, but the goals wouldn't stop there. 5 minutes after the Valladolid goal, Betis put the game back at level terms and the score at the half was 1-1. In the second half both teams exchanged goals with Valladolid going on top twice just to see Real Betis bounce back and tie it up at 2-2 and then 3-3. In the 91st minute, Real Betis' Juanfran scored the winning goal for Betis, a goal that makes the 6 minute highlight video below totally worth watching.

#2 - Zenit St. Petersburg vs. Dinamo Moscow 2-4 (Abandoned due to fan violence)

Up to the 87th minute, this was a brilliant spectacle of two very good football rivals in the Russian Premier League. Zenit, sitting top of the table 2 points ahead of another rival CSKA Moscow with just 2 games remaining in the season, was looking to take a step closer to a fourth title in seven years. It all started great for the home team when Portuguese national Danny gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in just the 6th minute. But 4 unanswered goals by Dinamo angered the home crowd, and even though Zenit player Alexandr Kerzhakov scored another for the hosts in the 84th to bring the damage down to 2-4, the always controversial Zenit supporters flooded the pitch and began to assault Dinamo players, at which point the officials had no choice but to abandon the match.

#1 - QPR vs. Wigan Athletic 2-1 (Promotion Playoffs Semi-Final - 2nd Leg)

With the promotion playoff finals on the line, QPR and Wigan went head-to-head in the second leg, after a cautious first match at the DW Stadium which ended in a 0-0 draw. All was to play for, and Wigan didn't wait long to take the advantage with James Perch giving the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute. Well into the second half Wigan's lead was still intact, but a after a couple of nice moves outside the box the ball found the feet of Canadian QPR winger Junior Hoilett who was taken down just inside the box, and gave the home club a chance to tie the game up. QPR stiker Charlie Austin stepped up to the spot and did not disappoint the home crowd, a calm finish with Wigan keeper Carson guessing the other way. The final score after 90 minutes read 1-1 and with the absence of the away-goal rule in League Football playoffs, the game entered the extra-time segment. Just 7 minutes into the extra frame it was QPR hero Austin yet again, slotting a high ball into the back of the net, sending the Rangers to the Promotion Playoff finals and Wigan to yet another season in the 2nd tier.