Paolo Berizzi, one of the best journalists, Italy has to offer, wrote an article on the topic these days Ultras: " The hands of the ultras in the business of football . " The text is strong stuff and will provide material for discussion and I suspect that the enthusiasm will keep on the side of the ultras in check. Also, because the relationship is not just to journalism anyway is idyllic. Therefore I would like to make for my German readers that Berizzi writes for the Repubblica, the only major daily newspapers in Italy, which deals in a constructive, objective and well researched manner with the world of ultras. Above all, fairly objectively. It was the Repubblica that the case Gabriele Sandri has accompanied virtually the only detailed and the inconsistencies about the death of Filippo Racitis Catania repeatedly brought into the leaf. And last but not least is the team Carlo Bonini, one of the best connoisseurs of the "scene" in general, including author of " ACAB ", a merciless reckoning with Sunday's guerrilla war. These observations are needed to the following text does not dismiss a priori than the usual drivel of an unsuspecting and malicious scribbler. The guys from the Repubblica know their Pappenheimer. So we listen to him only once, even if it is unpleasant.

ROM - Plug really just an old inner-city rivalry and Fanfreundschaft behind the projectiles that were sent to the defeat and Lotito, who had "recommended" the Lazio Ultras their players in the game against Inter? Did the tribal anti-Roma logic is already sufficient to fuel the extortion by gangs from the North Stand or standing, especially in the corners far more and worse to it than that which we are only now slowly being revealed? "If the make things difficult "- says an undercover agent of the Interior Ministry, which again tonight in front of a massively fortified Olympic Stadium, which will be transformed again into a stage for disputes to be in use is:" If it were only that simple, that which before and during the game Lazio-Inter is up, just to be able to classify as a simple lack of sportsmanship. The problem is that the ultras - and this fact applies to all major Fanlager, especially those of large cities - begin to tighten their methods and ambitious. Many curves have been organized crime in the hands dropped. They know exactly what methods they exercise their control and how to extend this to the clubs. They do, apparently, not in vain. They do this for economic reasons. For while there used to be the character of the curves leaders who could put a little something aside by ticket sales a bit gutted, there is now real and true criminal organizations whose interest is to get their hands on the very large income. And this is now not only unleash against the police officers, but also against the clubs. The message is spreading it is that we have the final say and we are now criminals. Dot. "

Hanger of his article is what happens when you play against Lazio Inter, as the Laziali their Fanfreundschaft with Interisti nity to their team's defeat to whistle and yell in order to screw the city rivals AS Roma the championship. The goalkeeper Muslera insulted her hard because of the audacity, the "pact" to whistle and did what it is - keep well. The connections with organized crime, but his real subject. I even had me with the subject already dealt when it comes to the activities of the once glorious Milanese Sükurve went. Berizzi certainly is controversial. But sometimes it helps to turn up the volume if you want to be heard. Especially if no one likes to deal with the issue. There is also much easier to bury your head in the sand and the old ideals of the 70s to the walls to spray.

Who knows in the turns, and starts and studied the trends and dynamics, the jump in quality exactly with whom we have to do it: he knows the virus that has infected the legions of Sunday combatants and transforms them into small districts, "where everything is possible and anything can happen "to it again in the words of the investigator. The situation has been going on for at least two seasons. And perhaps only coincidentally, this period coincides with the increased pace imposed by the Home Office, this "pressure" that makes the hot-blooded fans of life so difficult. The outward journey prohibitions. The person-related tickets. Then the Fankarte, a red flag in the eyes of the Ultras, which are then passed on a collision course, logically (see the last of the Doriani clashes with the police before the Derby on 11 April).

Well, the problem is not you places where "everything is possible and anything can happen" are. The curves have always been, places of freedom. In the 60s and 70s are often the only places of freedom against the - then still political - repression . Places where young people gather spontaneously and were able to express themselves. The curves were an expression of self-selected communities, to which the state authorities had no access, an important part of youth culture for generations of Italians. The question is just what you make of this freedom. Italian Ultras curves are organized historically hierarchical, the Capo will set the tone and follow the crowd. The precise chain of command is also useful if you want to measure every Sunday with heated knives or special forces reinforced enemy Ultras groups. She carries with it - like any dictatorship - a danger: it depends on the intentions of the curve heads. Especially in Italy during the last 3 years in which the Italian Ultras movement has virtually alone, without alliances, lobbying, deal with the thumb screws on an ever-rotating Teren repression. Us against them all. It is getting closer. And it is this "combination" of the question, finally, there's a war.

This change of pace has an origin and a date. The second February 2007. The death of the policeman Filippo Raciti in Catania. From that time nothing was more like it was before. The violence has changed. . It has not disappeared, it has only re-organized "This is an anonymous authority, no rules, and therefore even more dangerous because they can erupt at any moment" - analyzed Carlo Balestri, a scholar and head of the "Progetto Ultra" , the laboratory, which was founded 15 years ago by UISP ("Unione Italiana Sport per Tutti") Emilia Romagna. "We are either at the terminus or in the" Year Zero arrived. " It is a bleak scenario, in which the positive aspects that it was - being together, the enthusiasm, the support, the choreography - died, and did make room for what we see today: clashes between gangs, and sometimes all decided by the will of the powerful interests and therefore has infiltrated the curves . Just like it happens in big cities. "

Well, the "Progetto Ultra" is not viewed favorably by all the curves and it's also not particularly successful. Even the founding manifesto of the "BISL" ("that's that infamous solo lame", "no traitor, just heard") turned out explicitly against the project and referred to the "true values" that would just include the examination of knives. Inter-Atalanta Ultras Ultras held the contrary at the time a banner that the only rule in the fight would be just that there are "no rules". But after all is the "Progetto" at least some attempt to behave constructively and get as Ultras movement alive. But Berizzi just is not the only wise head, who notes that as a result of the repression has led to a dangerous situation. Dozens of historical groups have disappeared, the individual curves are fragmented, with many Ultras traveling on your own as " Cani sciolti "across the country. The ban on banners, flags and megaphones, the cohesion of the curves is further reduced. They have become even more unmanageable. While the state power is used with the Brigate Rossonere or Fossa dei Leoni had to do, she now faces a wall of faceless hood straps. The internal dynamics are often not even see through more of the participants themselves. Let the outside.

That's the hard line that the new mafia clans of Tifo have proclaimed. Those who look on and take, the Mafia following model, for no one more consideration when it comes to fill the coffers. And almost always seek a direct confrontation. Rome and Milan. And Turin. These are the workshops of the Ultras GmbH, the company that spreads its tentacles after all there is to eat in and outside the stadium: police (stewards), parking, merchandise, tickets, black market dealers. Even the mobile food stands, or "paninari" as they are called in Rome, where the peddlers of the local Mafia boss of the curves "shell out" something must if they want to work without trouble. "It's ugly to have to admit this, but here they have everything under control, "adds another website from the ranks of the police, who are now considered" "understands" part of the establishment of the Olympic stadium, many familiar faces from the curves you see on the inlets, as they access . organize Also in the stands Tiber, where once were normal people, we find today, during the derby, ultras, because they know that they can do there shaft. I wonder: Do the clubs anyway? "

In any case, have come to realize this one. The curve bosses try to "manage kommisarisch" the club. A plan that was hatched over the years and finally train broke down when the Ultras movement - under the blows of repression - was again at a crossroads: to disappear or become transformed. Therefore, this is devastating mutation. With the arrival of organized Mala Vita, which will decide on the player purchases (or sales). The players slap administered (Turin on 6 January and 28 March, only Toro, then Juve). The players at the training ground, "warns" (as it happened the Lazio player Baronio before last Lazio-Inter, "you have to lose, or else ...").

The theme is as old as "Ultra" Even the self Brigate Gialloblù from Verona had their say on player commitments. It has always had the larger curves their own ticket sales, and last but not least, the AC made Milan vice Galliani under police protection when he became the first club in Serie A, the Fankarte "Tessera del fans are" introduced to abgräbt the curved internal ticket trade the water. The ultras of FC Internazionale were not the first, with the Bengalowürfen a game crash (in the "Derby €" 2003 2005, thank Marcello ) Brought about in order to blackmail the club qua penalties. And Paolo Maldini was not the first player who realized that sometimes it just does not just "the colors" goes . Berizzi illuminated but the new level. It's just not in fact more concerned that the Capo is a new car financed or caps are sold to finance the choreography, but now only be implemented in the Curva Sud estimated several million euros. Per season. And only in the "core business". And if you lead 500 brawny, fearless young men, then rise to the idea of ​​modernizing the business model. As I said, curves are classified as "legal vacuum" is a great thing, it all depends on what you do with that freedom. And power.

Directed against the "modern football" and meanwhile, sets up the handle to the increased business. This transformation describes the Milan prosecutor Luca Poniz very well when he open the main proceedings against the clan of "Guerrieri" (to be screened on the dock) signs. The group that had, under the aegis of several convicted Giancarlo Lombardi, called cannibalize "Sandokan", a Ferrari dealer, the Milanese South Stand, "Under the guise of an alleged fan group," he writes, "corresponds to the choice of means with a typical criminal logic, which is also in complete agreement with the profile of Lombardi. "Again, as in Rome with Lotito in Turin with the old club's management of Juve or Cairo as president of the Toro have the Ultras on direct collision course with the club going . How Poniz turn, writes about "a clearly intimidating behavior towards the club AC Milan, the organization had in dealing with the association methods were included, which come from ordinary crime." The strategy is called the "influence of environmental conditions." Flares thrown onto the field, lie in wait for the extortion of the club's management, targeted protests, the players in airports, on the street, in restaurants.

Lotito has made ​​the fight against the " Irriducibili GmbH made ​​"an affair of the heart. How right he was, we were able to admire, not least on the last Saturday, when the Roman Olympic Stadium one of the many low points of Italian football was played. Galliani has attempted to undermine the implementation of the Tessera del fans are the cards market. The resulting protests were quickly resolved and the Italian way, the "Curva Sud" with free tickets back on line. Since then it says again "Avanti con Silvio". Cairo has the "Toro" put up for sale. Juventus next season likely will change the complete club management. It's not like that the curves have no more power. But on a serious, decisive and collective action against the excessive repression is still waiting in vain. Instead of using the existing power really, the "Ultras Causa" to give a voice, obviously a lot of attention has been enthusiastic, and other issues more effectively .

But the clubs are always and only in the victim role? The sociologist Alessandro Dal Lago, according to - the author of the famous book "description of a battle: the rituals of Support" ("Descrizione di una battaglia i ritualistic del tifo") -. The answer is No. "The Ultras have the complicity of the clubs, the before the ambiguous background of financial irregularities have an interest to receive government aid and violence could help abzutarnen this helps or acceptance. "acts of violence are more often decided at the conference table. It was police chief Antonio Manganelli, who in September 2008 certified the presence of the Camorra in Naples after the ultras, who arrived by train in Rome, they were playing hardball "concerned." Mastiffs, NISS ("No meetings, just clashes", "Niente Incontri, solo Scontri") Masseria Cardone. You are the ruler of the San Paolo stadium, where the clans have the "SSN" and the "Alliance Tues Secondigliano" built over the years strong fortresses. Free legal spaces, places of power. The same groups of clients at the top corners of the Romans: "Padroni di casa" and "Boys" (AS Roma), "In a basso destra" ("Bottom Right") and "Irriducibili" (Lazio). The same, for which is in Milan, Lombardi put so much into stuff, one has available in his CV (robbery, extortion, criminal damage, attempted murder with firearms) even made an appearance in a movie to book: last year he has played itself a Ultrà capo, in the film "L'ultimo ultras" ("The Last Ultras") by Stefano Calvagna, director and star, itself a Lazio Ultras, which a few years ago under mysterious circumstances before a Roman theater in the legs was shot and was finished later in jail.

OK, the movie I had already torn apart . The curves of different contacts with organized crime are numerous documented . I recommend everyone who speaks Italian like once again the book "ACAB" by Bonini, who reworked the shifts in the Naples-curve in great detail. Manganelli, I would have never cited to give credibility to a separate article, the husband is away all objectivity. And so should the story of the Napoli Ultras hijacked train at least since the revelations of " Ballesterer "really well as the last story to be known. That the Camorra in San Paolo has the say, is known. It is again Bonini in ACAB, the participation of the ultras in the defense of controlled by the Mafia "trade waste" documented in Campania. It would have the - wrong - as with the "burning train to Rome" is not used. Here is unnecessarily Berizzi themselves in the foot.

Data that overlap. Strange events. On 23 September 2009 will be held on a town in the hinterland of Milan, a meeting on "organized support". This offers the possibility of a trilateral summit of Giancarlo Lombardi, Franco Caravita, historic leader of the Inter-curve and Christian Mauriello, an emissary of the Viking by Juventus. The Dominus is, according to the Milan DIGOS (State Security), in turn, Lombardi. Who, after he has conquered with his gorillas already Milan-curve, the intention would have mitzumischen still in the very large business. Phase Two of the project envisages the expansion of the criminal infiltration of more curves. First of all, the Inter and Juve. The mean amount of money. The historic rivalries are buried in the name of the joint business. And in their joint business you can get along fine. Do not worry if it pops off and a shootout. As on 17 October 2006 in Sesto San Giovanni. Victim is a 32-year-old Ultras. The ambush is - due to the attempted takeover of the red and black curve - according to the prosecutor's Monza. So they move today, the new Ultras.

Gia. Even at the resolution of the Fossa dei Leoni strange alliances between rival but actually Milanisti and Juventini were involved. The business relations between the warring Milanisti but actually were here already and Interisti topic. Old rivalries, especially sporting disappear, in fact, in a conflict situation which now no longer be traced. Berizzi provides a clue stupid and not even one. The enumerated facts are clearly understood, the validity of his conclusions can not judge me. But it provides an understandable and logical interpretation. Understandable and logical anyway than the eternal cycle of "ultras good / bad cop" and "we want but only represent our colors." Violence and illegality are established components of Ultras, so I would never have a problem. But it has little to do with Ultras, when Milan and Juve fans are together in the same curve, making movies together, blackmail together their own club, players physically attack their own and do business together. That would find they give each other on the mouth, however I normally. But when the money stops so hostile to know.

Or, as it expressed the Lazio Ultras (sic) of his time :

"We are Roman Ultras and we want to express our discomfort (sometimes disgust) compared to a situation, which we no longer feel we belong. (...) In the cruelty and the harshness of the repression applied by the dealer of the 'opium for the people' (football), the gardeners of the social barbarism, the perfidy of the pseudo-Ultras, before the God of money, dissolve connections, which appeared yesterday, and forever cause irreparable fractures. "

If it were not so sad, you could almost laugh about it again.