Torcida Organizada Fans

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Lore & Background

In the beginning of the 1940s, and until the 1960s, torcidas organizadas were informal associations of fans who gathered to buy fireworks, cloth for large flags, and other stuff to be used during celebrations. The first one was the 'Charanga Rubro-Negra' (Flamengo), created in 1942. Later, such associations became permanent, and were legally formalized as nonprofit recreational associations with the primary goal of providing a better spectacle at the stadium and surroundings. Some of the noteworthy torcidas organizadas from this time were: Torcida Jovem Fla and Raça Rubro-Negra (Flamengo), Gaviões da Fiel (Corinthians), Torcida Independente and Dragões da Real (São Paulo FC), Mancha Verde (Palmeiras), Força Jovem Vasco (Vasco da Gama), Máfia Azul (Cruzeiro), Galoucura (Atlético Mineiro), Torcida Jovem do Santos (Santos FC), Young Flu (Fluminense), Fúria Jovem do Botafogo (Botafogo), Bamor (Esporte Clube Bahia), Torcida Jovem do Sport (Sport Club do Recife), Os Imbatíveis (Esporte Clube Vitória), Inferno Coral (Santa Cruz Futebol Clube), Os Fanáticos (Clube Atlético Paranaense), Império Alviverde (Coritiba Foot Ball Club), Garra Alvinegra (ABC Futebol Clube), Máfia Vermelha (América de Natal). In the beginning the torcida organizada movement was fragmentary, but would later consolidate into larger bodies or leagues. Some torcidas would open branches throughout the country to support their teams playing away, given the national range of their supporters. Torcidas organizadas later became infamous for their association with stadium violence, which would cause Justice to disband some of them (notably Gaviões da Fiel, Mancha Verde and Torcida Independente, both the top and most hard-core firms and active in one of the largest cities in the world: São Paulo). Some clubs would also be plagued by rival torcidas which would battle each other as well as the opponents. A notable incident of violence was the 'Batalha do Pacaembu' in 1995, a riot between Palmeiras and São Paulo supporters that left 102 injured and one dead.

In Their Own Story

Tensions reached a boiling point during the "Battle of Pacaembu" in 1995. During the U-20 "Supercopa Junior" finals between Palmeiras and São Paulo FC at Pacaembu Stadium, the match ended with a golden goal for Palmeiras. Their supporters invaded the pitch to celebrate, prompting São Paulo fans to invade an area under renovation. There, they stole bricks, rocks, and sticks to attack their rivals. As this was a junior tournament, police and paramedical services were too meagre to manage the riot. The clash left 108 people wounded and resulted in one death. This tragedy forced tighter controls on Torcidas Organizadas. In another stark example of internal conflict, Moacir Bianchi, a founder of Palmeiras' Mancha Verde, was murdered in 2017 by a member of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC) while attempting to mediate a hostile takeover.

Reader's Guide

Generally speaking, the torcidas organizadas have a different supporting style to the barra bravas and ultras: firstly, torcidas wear their own uniforms when attending games rather than the club's uniforms, sometimes it is a color that differs from their club's primary color, e.g. Palmeiras Mancha Verde wears white while Torcida Jovem (Sport Recife) wears yellow as opposed to the club's red-and-black. Additionally, they sing all the time, usually the anthem of the club or songs that are known even to those that are not part of a torcida. These songs are usually played along with drum beats and other musical instruments, although most are not allowed inside the stadiums. Other significant differences are the enormous flags that are made and expected by everyone in the stadiums. The torcidas usually display a team logo, or even a gigantic team shirt, but a constant in these flags is a reference to the torcida that made them. The reason why torcidas constantly sing is because they believe it is important to support the team, no matter what is occurring on the field. That is why it is so common to see the crowd singing, even if the opposing team has just scored a goal. However, during the half-time, the torcidas tend to organize small protests that are directed to the team manager or the team president, in order to express their dissatisfaction with recent decisions or even long-standing unfulfilled promises. As for what concerns the players, the torcidas usually try not to point out a player who is not putting all of his best efforts to work.

Did You Know?

• The first torcida organizada was Charanga Rubro-Negra, created in 1942 for Flamengo.
• The name 'torcida' comes from the Portuguese verb 'torcer' (to wring), shifting to 'to root for' after women wringing scarfs became an emotional outlet in the 1930s.
• The 'Battle of Pacaembu' in 1995, a riot between Palmeiras and São Paulo supporters, left 108 wounded and one dead.
• Torcida Split in Croatia, founded in 1950, is the oldest organized supporters' group in Europe and was inspired by Brazilian torcidas.
• Some torcidas, like Gaviões da Fiel and Mancha Verde, have significant political influence within their clubs.

Origins and Evolution

In the beginning of the 1940s until the 1960s, torcidas were informal associations formed to purchase fireworks, cloth for flags, and other celebration items. The first was "Charanga Rubro-Negra" (Flamengo), established in 1942. These groups later became permanent and legally formalized as nonprofit recreational associations focused on providing a better spectacle. Prominent examples from this era include Gaviões da Fiel (Corinthians), Torcida Independente and Dragões da Real (São Paulo FC), Mancha Verde (Palmeiras), Força Jovem Vasco (Vasco da Gama), Máfia Azul (Cruzeiro), Galoucura (Atlético Mineiro), Torcida Jovem do Santos, Young Flu (Fluminense), Fúria Jovem do Botafogo, Bamor (Esporte Clube Bahia), and many others. The movement evolved from fragmented local efforts into larger consolidated bodies or leagues, with some establishing branches across the country to support their teams in away matches.

The Etymology of Passion

The name "torcidas organizadas" is derived from the Portuguese verb "torcer," which literally means "to wring" or "to twist." The definition shifted to "to root for" following a specific cultural evolution in the 1930s. During this period, female Brazilian spectators attending football matches used the act of wringing scarves as an emotional outlet. Over time, the physical action transformed into the metaphorical meaning of supporting a team. This linguistic shift highlights how fan behavior became deeply embedded in the national psyche, moving from a gesture of anxiety to one of active support.

Violence and Legal Regulation

While their main objective is support, torcidas are linked to significant incidents of hooliganism and violence. Notable examples include the disbandment of groups like Gaviões da Fiel, Mancha Verde, and Torcida Independente by Justice authorities due to their role in stadium violence in São Paulo. The "Battle of Pacaembu" in 1995 stands out as a major incident where rival fans fought with stolen building materials, causing one death and 108 injuries. Furthermore, some groups have strong ties to local organized crime; in 2017, Moacir Bianchi (founder of Mancha Verde) was murdered by the PCC during a factional dispute over control. In response to these issues, the Brazilian government created the "Estatuto do Torcedor," a law that regulates torcidas, defining their rights and duties.

Alliances and Symbolic Rivalries

Historical friendships have formed between major groups, such as the alliance dating back to the early 1980s between Mancha Verde (Palmeiras), Força Jovem Vasco (Vasco), and Galoucura (Atlético Mineiro). Conversely, Torcida Jovem Fla, Torcida Independente, and Máfia Azul formed a rival alliance. These unions are marked by symbolic gestures: the latter group uses "punhos cruzados" (crossed fists), while the former responds with "dedos pro alto" (raised middle fingers). Players often replicate these symbols after scoring goals. Within these alliances, it is normal to exchange shirts and caps; for example, gear from Palmeiras, Atlético Mineiro, Bahia, and ABC Futebol Clube can be seen at Vasco da Gama games. These unions influence club politics, with groups like Gaviões da Fiel holding considerable power in Corinthians, while Torcida Independente has little influence over São Paulo FC.