On December 26, 2018, Italian football was marred by violent riots during a Serie A match between Inter Milan and Napoli, resulting in the death of a supporter, Daniele Belardinelli. A member of a far-right ultra group, Belardinelli had participated in an ambush against Napoli fans when he was struck by a vehicle driven by a rival supporter. The incident highlighted the rising presence of neo-fascist and neo-nazi groups within Italian football fandom, particularly among the ultras, who are notorious for their intense, sometimes violent, support for their teams.
Historically, ultras groups have engaged in racist and extremist behavior, with fans of Varese and Inter aligning against Napoli due to not just football but also a shared far-right agenda. Blood and Honor, a neo-nazi faction within Varese’s ultras, exemplifies how these groups have operated, opposing players of color and engaging in racist violence.
Despite some teams having moderate right-wing supporters, far-right sentiments have increasingly infiltrated fan groups across Italy, with actions ranging from racist chants to public displays of fascist symbols. This trend has also seen notable affiliations with political parties like Giorgia Meloni’s Fratelli d’Italia, representing a disturbing melding of sport and extremist politics.
This phenomenon is not isolated to Italy; across Europe, similar patterns are emerging. The overlaps between football fandom and far-right ideologies risk fostering environments where racism, extremism, and violence can thrive. Consequently, the beautiful game is threatened, with significant implications for society at large.
