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The Herald Scotland
12-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
What Italy's ultra movement can tell us about Scottish scene
To help understand where the burgeoning ultras scene in Scotland has come from, then, and where it may lead, it is natural to look to the country where the concept was birthed, and where it thrives to this day. Few understand the Italian ultras scene better than author Tobias Jones, an Englishman who moved to the country initially in 1999 and then went back there after some years back home to settle into family life in Parma. A few years ago, though, his long-held fascination with sub-cultures led him into a very different world, as he embedded himself into the matchday rituals of the ultras group affiliated to Cosenza – a relatively small and unheralded club from the south of the country. (Image: Rob Casey - SNS Group) The choice was rooted in a desire to offer a counterbalance to the old tropes about ultras groups – their sympathies for fascistic ideology, the violence (murders, even) and drug-dealing - which are nonetheless an undeniable and integral part of their story. Cosenza, by contrast, were steadfastly anti-fascist, and were known instead as altruistic, providing shelter to the destitute or to immigrants and charity to those in need. The result was his illuminating 2019 book, Ultra: The Underworld of Italian Football, a fascinating and unflinching account of the birth of the ultras movement in Italy, what they evolved to become, warts and all. But at its heart is the notion that this is not one homogenous movement at all, but groups for whom the love of their own town or city – their 'caput mundi', or capital of the world - is just as important as their disdain for the others. 'Being an ultra, much of it's a common human anthropological thing that when people form groups, they have enemies, that's the way it goes,' Jones said. 'Almost immediately when the 'ultra' was born around 1967, '68, you have the Years of Lead in Italy. You have the extremist political terrorism from far right and far left. So, that's a sort of a context that is unique. 'Once where there were insults, those became beatings that became death, there was this sort of revenge mechanism that was always upping the ante. If you've got a martyr that needs to be avenged, it keeps ratcheting up. So, from fistfights you go to knife fights and from knife fights to gunfights. 'I see the Italian ones very sort of embedded in what happened here. So, the shift to the far right amongst the ultras is so clearly connected to the end of the Soviet Union, the sort of discrediting of communism, if that's what it was, and the rise of mass immigration into a country that when I first came in, you never really saw one black or brown face. You've got geopolitical things happening that mean that the terraces take a very large rightward step. 'Here, you obviously had Inter, Lazio and Verona and then lots of lesser-known teams like Ascoli who've always been notoriously aligned to the right. And other ones, not necessarily well-known teams, but Livorno, Genoa etc that were more to the left. (Image: Rob Casey - SNS Group) 'I've often wondered how the sectarian element enters into it in Glasgow, but that's not something that was there in a mono-faith country like Italy, which was almost ubiquitously Catholic in the 60s and 70s. 'How that plays out, I don't know. It'll be interesting to see over the coming years or decades.' The notion of knife fights or gun fights playing out on Scottish streets may seem a frightening one, and after the running battles between the Green Brigade and the Union Bears in Glasgow city centre prior to the New Year derby, not all that much of a stretch to imagine. The police response to that incident – the exercising of additional powers to search fans prior to the next match between the sides at Celtic Park and the kettling of supporters outside the ground – sparked a subsequent protest at the London Road police station over the heavy-handedness of fan policing. In Italy, the response from the authorities was on a different level altogether, meeting the escalating seriousness of what they were dealing with, but as Jones explains, the common thread of suppression runs through the psyche of ultras from Celtic's North Curve to Inter's Curva Nord, and strained relations with the police are a given. 'Calling the police response heavy-handed is sort of an understatement,' he said. 'The D.I.G.O.S. [Divisione Investigazioni Generali e Operazioni Speciali], the division that deals with fans, is not commonly associated with light-handedness. 'And as always, as in ultra-on-ultra violence, ultra-on-police violence, the one thing that will unite the whole ultras movement is this notion that they are the suppressed, subjugated underdog. That's natural when you have fans repeatedly dying in custody, and then also fans being shot across the motorway like Gabriele Sandri, the Lazio fan whose picture is up everywhere. 'And then you get also a policeman killed in Catania, (Filippo) Raciti. So, you know, it's incremental, this bit-by-bit increase of fear and distrust. 'And then the other thing they did, which was incredibly strategic and split down the centre of the whole movement, was the fans' identity card. You couldn't go to either at-risk games or away games, or sometimes you couldn't even get into your home stadium, unless you had it. 'I talk about it in the book that half the fans said, 'Well, look, what's the difference? We've got to go to the stadium.' It's like not going to church. And other people would go a thousand miles to stand outside the stadium and sing from there as a protest. It's down the middle. And as you know, if you split the opposition, you're halfway there.' To draw alarmist conclusions from the ultras story in Italy though when considering the future of the Scottish equivalent is, Jones feels, too simplistic. (Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group) 'There are sides of the way that they support a football team here that I can't really see being imported quickly to Scotland,' he said. 'I hope, for instance, that the real violence and drug dealing remains outside the ultras scene. I think when the head of a gang is earning tens of thousands a month, people fight for that kind of money. I don't get the impression, I might be wrong, that your groups there have got huge income streams. 'It's obviously linked to touting and all the stuff like the burger concessions, the parking concessions, sort of the petty criminal, mafia context around the curtilage of stadiums that mean that the ultras can get into those positions. And also, obviously, proper wholesale narco-trafficking. 'Here, it's extremely hierarchical. So, the one man with a megaphone decides what everyone sings. When I go to a stadium in Britain, it feels a lot more spontaneous and there's a lot of humour. Whereas here, it's kind of quite serious and frowning. You know, the next song on the hymn sheet is this. 'I say this in a good way, Scotland just feels more anarchic than Italy, which is actually quite traditionalist and conformist in unexpected ways. I just wonder whether that sort of make-up of an ultras group that is strategical, politicised, hierarchical, maybe that's not the way it'll grow in a very different country.' Might it instead, in Scotland, follow the path of what Jones describes in his book as 'the more idealistic origins of the movement' that he found were still largely the guiding principles of the ultras in Cosenza, such as charity. They may be politicised and from differing sides of that spectrum, but almost all of the ultras groups operating in Scotland collect for their local foodbanks, and try to be seen as a force for good within their communities, a common trait with their Italian counterparts. 'The first thing on the other side of the charge sheet against the ultras is that any time there's a flood, an earthquake, a drought, a natural disaster, a man-made disaster, it's always the ultras on the front line,' he said. 'Partly because the Italian state is not so nimble, it's often very slow to respond, but the ultras are always on the front line. 'I followed Cosenza for three years because they were the most altruistic of all ultras, I think. They were occupying hotels confiscated from the Mafia, opening them up to immigrants, doing distribution of food to the homeless, doing evenings of five-a-side football matches for young kids who couldn't afford a pitch, all sorts of things that again fill the gap in modern society where there are many, many holes in the safety net.' Just as the ultras groups fill the holes society fails to in many lives. If there are lessons to be drawn then from the Italian experience when it comes to the way Scotland's ultras scene may evolve, it is that being dismissive or wholly condemnatory of them is a dangerous game, and a stance that may allow nefarious actors to fill those voids in the lives of many of them. 'I think the warning sign isn't about ultras, but about the wider society,' he said. 'Where do vulnerable, excluded young men - because it's normally men, but women as well – find belonging and meaning and rootedness? And actually, if they find it in a football team, is it that bad a place to find it? (Image: SNS Group) 'If there aren't movements that create family and tribe and fun, if a football team can't do it, where the heck are young kids in the 21st century going to find belonging and meaning? 'So, I think the warning is actually if it's demonised and we're told from the off they're idiots we shouldn't listen to - which I think is how the ultras movement was scorned by the intellectual left in Italy in the 80s and the 90s, they started turning their back on it, saying these guys are a bunch of idiots - it created this vacuum that the far-right moved into. So, I see that as the main warning. 'But I think - and I'm guessing here, but I hope – [the Scottish ultras movement] is perhaps a reflection of that really fascinating bond between Scotland and Italy. So, whether it's because of industry, prisoners of war, shipbuilding, food or so many other things, there is this amazing link between the countries. 'I get the sense that's kind of what a lot of Scottish groups feel. You know, they're doing something that's a bit Italian. And that obviously is a great thing, because it's a lovely country.'
Scotsman
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Rangers red letter day for Barry Ferguson but signs of Ibrox insurrection amid official attendance amusement
Rangers end winless home run as fans send pointed message Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... May 11 might be a significant date in the history of Aberdeen Football Club but it will now go down as a red letter day for Barry Ferguson as well: his first Ibrox win as manager. It was a long way from Gothenburg as the Pittodrie side played the part of sacrificial lambs in the end. Rangers eventually prevailed with a degree of comfort. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The next time Aberdeen are in Glasgow will be for the Scottish Cup final on May 24 against Celtic. They will need to be far better than they were here to win the trophy for the first time since 1990. Rangers eventually found their groove to hand Ferguson some relief and give their fans – at least those who stayed until the end – something to celebrate amid further signs of Ibrox insurrection. Rangers fans hold up a 'Free Souness' banner during the 4-0 win over Aberdeen in relation to last week's display against Celtic which was seized by Police Scotland. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group 'Free Souness' the Union Bears urged via a banner with reference to last weekend's controversial tifo display against Celtic. By half time, it was those of us inside the stadium enduring an unusually tepid Rangers v Aberdeen fixture who were begging to be released. There was a marked improvement in the second half, certainly from the hosts' point of view. Two months and 16 days after being appointed, Ferguson finally experienced what it feels like to enjoy a win at Ibrox. Not that he was especially expressive at the end. He could be seen simply standing by the touchline talking to coaches Neil McCann and Billy Dodds. The winless home run even pre-dates Ferguson. Defeats earlier this year against Queen's Park and St Mirren were hugely influential in the decision to bring him in. It's remarkable to think that the home fans have not had a victory to celebrate since the second day of February and what was another 4-0 victory, this time against Ross County. They didn't even have to wait so long for a home victory at the start of the season and Ibrox was not even operational until late September. This was just the 15th win here all season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rangers' Vaclav Cerny opens the scoring in the 4-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group As far as Ferguson's reign is concerned, the victory came at the sixth time of asking and in what might well prove his penultimate outing at the stadium in his current role. It's expected he will return to his ambassadorial role in the summer having minded the shop since Philippe Clement's exit in February. Ibrox disharmony evident Although this ultimately comprehensive victory was supremely welcome, harmony seems as far away as ever at Ibrox. The official who hands around the sheet of paper with the attendance figure at half-time could not conceal some amusement as he gave out the figure: 50, 343. By most estimates, there were around 10,000 empty seats at kick-off and maybe around 40,000 at the end with a huge volume of supporters having left early, perhaps to enjoy what was left of a balmy afternoon. Strange, though. It's not as if home wins are ten-a-penny at the moment. The Union Bears remained, steadfast as ever. They are itching for a fight. As well as the 'Free Souness' banner hoisted into the air after 15 minutes, they produced a more pointed and serious one also referencing the now infamous tifo display seven days earlier: 'Jumped the gun and lost the fans. No apology. No surrender.' Rangers fans display a banner which reads 'Jumped the gun and lost the fans, no apology - no surrender' during the 4-0 win over Aberdeen at Ibrox. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group) | SNS Group Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart has not won many friends amongst the hardcore Ibrox support by signing off on a statement that criticised the message spelled out in rather too much detail against Celtic. 'Take aim against the rebel scum,' was written below a large image of former player-manager Graeme Souness resting a double-barrelled shotgun on his shoulder. The entire display was later seized by police. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Vaclav Cerny – or The Waterboy, as he's now dubbed on scarves on sale from vendors around Ibrox following his hydration bottle-spraying celebration against Celtic in March – got the ball rolling after 55 minutes. Rangers freewheeled to victory thereafter having toiled somewhat up to then. Both teams did see goals cancelled out at the end of the opening 45 minutes for offside. Cyriel Dessers and Obday Dabbagh were the men denied, although the fact VAR was required to verify the call against Dessers after 44 minutes summed up the nature of the afternoon to that point. Far-side assistant referee Chris Rae must have been asleep. Or maybe he was just desperate to see something, anything, that resembled free-flowing football. Not only was it a good move put together by Rangers, but it was a near replica of their opening goal against Celtic the previous weekend. Rangers substitute Hamza Igamane celebrates as he scores to make it 3-0 over Aberdeen at Ibrox. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group Rangers sub makes telling difference Pape Gueye and Kevin Nisbet tried to help shake things up for Aberdeen. The pair came on at half time and the visitors suddenly looked lively, although such dynamism proved short-lived. Topi Keskinen bashed a shot against Liam Kelly's near post after 48 minutes. Hamza Igamane had replaced the extremely poor Nedim Bajrami at the interval and although the impact of this change was not quite as immediate, it had made a telling difference within ten minutes of the re-start and was instrumental in Rangers winning as handsomely as they eventually did. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Igamane's introduction gave Aberdeen something else to think about and while his presence might not have led directly to the opening goal, the visitors' defence parted like the Red Sea as they tried to cover all points of danger. Nico Raskin threaded a ball through the middle for Cerny to roll past Dimitar Mitov. Dessers missed two golden opportunities in the first half but, true to form, he bounced back to convert at the near post after more good work from Raskin, including leaving Kristers Tobers on his backside.
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Former Hibs manager makes shock return to Scottish football as sporting director of SPFL club
Ex-Easter Road boss back in game after 'not nice experience' in homeland Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Mixu Paatelainen has seen it all in football. As a player, a coach, a manager, educator, and a student of the game. Now he hopes to utilise all that experience as The Spartans newly-appointed Sporting Director. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lured in by the League 2 side's ambition and convinced by the solid foundations, the man who has busied himself over the past year with his role as a technical observer for UEFA, taking in Champions League and Europa League matches, as well as helping the SFA deliver coaching courses and studying for a postgraduate diploma in sporting directorship, has now added to his remit. Mixu Paatelainen, pictured attending the recent Rangers v Fenerbahce at Ibrox, has been appointed the new sporting director of The Spartans. (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group) | SNS Group Having met the men's and women's first team coaches and players this week, the former Dundee United and Hibs striker and manager, is already looking ahead to the new season. The men's side, in only their second season in the SPFL, narrowly missed out on a second successive stab at the play-offs for promotion to League One, while the women's team were unable to secure a berth in the top half of the Premier table ahead of the split. But Paatelainen says he sees real potential throughout the club and, crucially, after the chaotic end to his previous management role, at HIFK, in Finland last year, he believes the Ainslie Park club have the right people in place to deliver stability and success. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'My last [management] job actually was in Finland, where the club went bankrupt. It wasn't a nice experience at all. The owner pulled his money out because his business was not doing well or it was shambles. 'But these things happen. It's an unfortunate thing. But it's quite nerve-wracking when you put your 100% in and you want to develop and you want to do everything professionally and then there's no chance to do that. So it eats you. So that's why I've had a wee break now and done other stuff. 'But that stability is 100% the main thing I wanted to make sure of the next time I got involved with a club. Spartans are a part time club, which helps with studying and the UEFA work and the SFA work but, also, the people in charge are people who you can trust and your efforts and your hard work doesn't go for nothing at the end of the day because the club doesn't exist.' A general view of Ainslie Park, home of The Spartans. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group) | SNS Group That stability includes backing the club's coaches, rather than casting a shadow. Making it clear he wants to help others develop and thrive rather than encroach on their territory, he insists he will be as much a dedicated team player off the park as he was on it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm hoping that all my experience will help but time will tell. 'As a player I was lucky to play in Scotland, in Finland, in England, in France and international football, obviously, in my country. So, there's plenty of experience there. 'I've been coaching over 20 years - different cultures, different types of football, different management because people are different.' But while the level of performance differs from taking in Champions League fixtures to watching development games or League 2 matches, Paatelainen's enthusiasm is the same. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Football is football. It's not about me going there as Sporting Director and saying 'this is how we do it'. It's just another person to hopefully give another idea and discuss things with the coaches, like how can we do better in terms of training sessions, the content of the training session, preparation for matches, tactics, player recruitment, what type of players the head coaches would like for certain positions, can we identify those players and bring them in? I will do the negotiations, the contracts and stuff like that. 'Obviously, this is my first job as a sporting director so this is the start but I've been very impressed. Everybody knows that Spartans is a community club, which is fabulous, they have fantastic facilities and what struck me straight away is that people are very ambitious, they don't want to be a League 2 club all the way, they want to go forward. It's a wonderful club, wonderful people so I want to be part of that.' Mixu Paatelainen managed Hibs between January 2008 and May 2009. | SNS Group 0141 221 3602 And, he says he would welcome the mooted league reconstruction, if it reduces the number of times teams have to play each other. 'Playing four times in the league and then cup games on top of that, sometimes you play a team seven times, I don't think anybody enjoys that. If there's a chance to have more clubs in the division I welcome that and, hopefully, bringing more clubs in the division will increase the standard of football in that division. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There is more ambition now. Spartans want to do better and there are many other clubs who've got the same aspirations and they want to go forward. It's up to us to rise to that challenge. It's not going to be easy but hopefully all of us who work for Spartans can put our heads together and give the club owners and the board what they are looking for.' 'We are delighted to welcome Mixu Paatelainen as our new Sporting Director,' said Spartans chairman Craig Graham. "Mixu brings us so much expertise. He will support me, my fellow directors and all our coaches as we continue to grow and develop our club.
