As of: February 14, 2024, 8:22 p.m
By: Stefan Schmid
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Press
Split
There are clearly political football curves – right and left.
The Mussolini admirers of Lazio Rome are particularly inglorious.
Rome - The myth of apolitical sport is repeated again and again - mostly by those who want to avoid a discussion about their own misconduct.
Countless events from the past and present of sport show that this is not the case: the 1936 Summer Olympics, which Hitler used for propaganda purposes, or the 1978 World Cup as a fig leaf for the Argentine military dictatorship, to name just two major events.
But political developments were also at the forefront of individual football games.
One of the most violent examples is the meeting between Red Star Belgrade and Dinamo Zagreb in 1990, which was never kicked off. For many, the riots at that time are seen as the starting point for the dissolution of Yugoslavia with all its nationalist atrocities.
The spirit of nationalism and fascism in the fan curves is by no means a thing of the past and also plays an important role in the fan scene of FC Bayern's upcoming Champions League opponent, Lazio Rome.
Fascist greetings like this are normal in the corner of Lazio Rome.
(Picture is from the game against Celtic Glasgow in November 2019) © picture alliance/dpa/AP |
Gregorio Borgia
Consolidated fascist ideas in Lazio's Curva Nord
In the fan curve of Lazio Rome, the Curva Nord in the Stadio Olimpico, fascism is part of it - as was the case during a guest game by Eintracht Frankfurt.
The supporters of the white and sky blue have earned this reputation over the years.
Concealing the impression or even counteracting it is a long way away.
One proudly carries the fascist past and present in front of oneself, provokes and brags about it.
Above all, the legacy of Benito Mussolini, the founder of modern fascism, is fondly upheld by Lazio fans.
It comes in handy that Mussolini himself was a member of the Lazio club.
In 2019, Lazio fans marched through the host city before the cup game at AC Milan with a banner that read “Glory to Mussolini.”
The racist chants and calls for “Duce” (leader) Mussolini during the game were almost a logical and sad consequence.
Paolo Di Canio as a Lazio player in the 2005 Roman derby. The player's “DUX” tattoo is clearly visible.
© picture alliance / dpa |
Filippo Monteforte
The fact that former player Paolo Di Canio is almost revered in the Curva Nord also speaks volumes.
After he scored a goal in the derby against AS Roma in January 2005, he celebrated it with his arm outstretched in the Hitler salute.
His “Dux” tattoo – Latin for “Duce” – also became visible.
Di Canio dismissed any accusations at the time: “I’m a professional and I keep politics away from the stadium.
I celebrated my goal and stretched out my arm.
This is not a political gesture.”
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Lazio Rome fans are looking for confrontations with opposing fans
Of course, not every Lazio Tifoso should and must not be accused of right-wing radical ideas, but the fascist “Indomitables” (“Irriducibili”) set the tone for the organized fans.
They also repeatedly seek violent confrontations with unpleasant fan groups from other clubs.
In November 2019, Lazio supporters hunted the away fans around the Europa League game against Celtic Glasgow.
Several Celtic fans, whose organized supporters were openly anti-fascist, had to be taken to hospital with stab wounds.
Is there also a danger for the Bayern fans in the game in Rome?
FC Bayern fans will particularly remember these attacks before the Champions League game in Rome on February 14th.
The organized Bayern fans, the “Schikeria München”, also position themselves as anti-fascist in public.
On its own website, the "Schikeria" describes its composition as follows: "The spectrum in the 'hard core' of the group, especially the leadership team, ranges from a thoughtful, critical center to an alternative left."
The Bayern fans don't shy away from criticizing their own players.
© IMAGO / MIS
So there is certainly potential for danger for the Munich fans - whose “common clear basis” is: “There is no room in our midst for unscrupulous money vultures, racists and fascists!” - should they encounter the “Irriducibili”.
At least when it comes to the national language, the Bayern fans will not be on their own, as it is likely that their friends “Ultras Empoli” will come to Rome with them.
(sh)