La 12

Lore & Background

La Doce, founded in the 1960s, but with unofficial organized support going back to the 1920s, is known worldwide as one of the most important supporter groups in Argentine football. The organization is known for its extensive match support, which includes fireworks, huge banners, and synchronized chanting. La Doce also plays a role in the social and cultural life of its members; many people join not just to back a football club but also as a way of social identification and belonging. Rituals include pre-match get-togethers in La Boca, drinking traditional drinks, and singing club anthems, linking supporters with the area and the club. Translating to "The Twelfth Player," the group's name reflects that it views itself as an extension of the squad on the field. However, in addition to team support, La Doce has come under investigation for participation in violence and claims of corruption, which has drawn government attention and much reporting of violence involving its members.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over a suffocating sea of blue and white in Buenos Aires. In the popular section, flags snapped rhythmically against the humid night air as the national anthem began. An old man gripped his grandson's hand, pointing toward the tunnel where the players would emerge. 'Listen,' he whispered, barely audible above the rising roar. The chant started low, a rumble in the chest, then swelled into a thunderous demand for victory that shook the concrete foundations. On the pitch, the captain paused before kickoff, looking up at the wall of faces. He nodded once. In that moment, the boundary between player and fan dissolved; they were playing together.

Reader's Guide

Barras bravas such as La Doce are more than just supporter groups. They are social groups that give their members a feeling of community and group identification. Usually from working-class areas, these groups come from where football has historically been a unifying factor and source of local pride. For many participants, the barra brava is a second social system that fosters unity and common goal. Collective singing, flag displays, and pre-match get-togethers among barras bravas help to create unity and sense of belonging. La Doce underlines its ties to Boca Juniors and the cultural legacy of the working-class La Boca area. Visual symbols, clothing, and language showing loyalty to both the club and the supporter organization communicate this link. Barras bravas' social dynamics sometimes cause conflict and complicated connections. Studies show that some aspects of these groups conflict with their beneficial communal roles and are linked to aggressive conduct, exclusionary policies, and displays of hypermasculinity.

Did You Know?

• La Doce translates to 'the twelfth' and refers to 'the 12th player'.
• The group's unofficial organized support goes back to the 1920s.
• La Doce is associated with Boca Juniors, not the Argentina national team.