La Barra Brava

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The term 'barra brava' first appeared in Argentine newspapers in the 1950s, describing fan groups whose violence arose spontaneously from frustration or a desire to influence matches. One notable group from 1927 supporting San Lorenzo de Almagro was named 'La barra de la goma' by the press due to their use of rubber-filled inner tubes as weapons. By the 1950s, these irregular groups evolved into permanent fixtures considered fundamental by club directors for repelling rival attacks and intimidating opponents. A pivotal moment occurred in 1958 at the José Amalfitani Stadium during a match between Vélez Sarsfield and River Plate; after riots broke out, an 18-year-old bystander named Alberto Mario Linker was killed by a tear gas canister fired by police. This tragedy signaled the beginning of an era where violence became habitual, with media differentiating these organized 'barra fuertes' from traditional barras. By the 1960s, the term 'barra brava' entered common usage, though many members rejected it until the 1980s due to its pejorative nature and legal implications regarding illicit associations.

In Their Own Story

The history of violence in Argentine football dates back to the first registered death caused by fan action in 1923. However, the trajectory changed dramatically on a specific afternoon in 1958 when River Plate fans clashed with police following a match at José Amalfitani Stadium. After losing 0–1 to Vélez Sarsfield, River supporters threw stones and a knife that struck the home goalkeeper's arm. When the referee ended the match four minutes early, fans invaded the pitch to attack the keeper, prompting police to fire tear gas. An 18-year-old bystander, Alberto Mario Linker, was knocked unconscious by a canister hitting his head and died hours later in the hospital. Outside the stadium, the riots continued with fans damaging shops, homes, a fire truck, and a railway station, while a train was destroyed, leaving 24 arrests and four police officers injured. Following this event, newspaper La Razón described these groups as 'barra fuertes,' noting their organized and hierarchical nature compared to traditional barras. This incident marked the transition where intimidation became a primary objective alongside supporting the team, leading to increased riots before and after matches.

Reader's Guide

To experience a match with a Barra Brava, one must understand their positioning and rituals. They occupy standing terraces, always located in the center of the section they control, which is left empty until their arrival as a sign of respect. Members deploy giant strip-shaped flags called 'trapos largos' or 'tirantes,' often several meters long, deployed from the top of the terrace to the bottom. Traditionally, important members stand upon crush barriers, holding onto these suspender-like flags or the hands of supporters below to avoid falling. They coordinate most chants and wave key flags using drums and, since the mid-2000s, trumpets. Beyond the stadium, these groups may engage in illegal activities such as extorting money from club leadership, selling tickets on the black market, or working as agitator groups for political leaders. In some instances, they have become so powerful that they decide who becomes the club's chairman. Since 2013, all visiting fans have been banned from first division matches in Argentina due to the dangers associated with these confrontations.

Did You Know?

• The term 'barra brava' was first used together in newspapers in the 1950s, though it did not become popular until the 1980s.
• In 1958, an 18-year-old bystander named Alberto Mario Linker died after being hit by a tear gas canister fired by police during riots following a River Plate match.
• Some barra brava members stand on crush barriers holding onto 'suspending' flags or the hands of fans below to prevent falling while waving giant 'trapos'.
• Through August 2012, Argentine football had experienced more than 200 deaths related to hooliganism.
• Since 2013, all visiting fans have been banned from matches in the first division of Argentine football.