For their passion, spirit and commitment towards the national team, the Argentine fans can be declared the champion of the roads even though the crown of official champions will not be decided before July 13 which is still three weeks away. Scrutinised thoroughly by the Brazilian police wherever they go, the Argentine fans have appeared the most colourful besides being a little volatile too during the ongoing football extravaganza.
The English fans were dubbed as an attacking brand but this time they were not seen in their traditional mode and subsequently replaced by the Argentine fans who have flooded the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro when Argentina beat Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 15. Only the Argentine fans were seen in different match venues prior to the matchday. They crowded the entrance of the Maracana Stadium shouting “Ole, Ole, Argentina” and “Ole, Ole, Messi” and different other chants. It was a continuous process and at the same time gulping endless bottles of beer was also a simultaneous process.
The Argentine fans have decorated themselves with wigs and t-shirts boasting pictures of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona. They carry guitars, drums and other ceremonial objects with them and take great pride in chanting different patriotic anthems. Everything is done through a combined effort.
Argentina were scheduled to kick-off their match against Iran at 7pm at Maracana yesterday but their fans started crowding the stadium from 8am, almost 12 hours in advance and the dance, the chorus and the endless “Ole, Ole” will go on till the end of the game. It was also observed that one group sometimes threatened the other and a fight was about to begin but apparently some leaders, who like to be referred to as the football gang “Barras Bravas”, quickly intervened and the opposing parties obeyed their words. The same scenario prevailed at Belo Horizonte yesterday.
Brazil have reportedly banned 2,100 Argentine hooligans from entering the country during the World Cup, according to the Brazilian federal police department.
Brazil though are yet to ban fans from any other countries. Prior to the World Cup, Brazil requested that Argentina share information on its football hooligans’ criminal records. As a result 650 members of a group called “Barras” belonging to the United Argentine Fans (HUA) have taken a case to the court to stop the government from handing over information. Over the years hooliganism in football was on the rise and the Argentine Football Association last season banned away fans in league matches after a fan was killed.
It was also learned that in the last Group F match between Argentina and Nigeria, dozens of Argentine police officials in plain clothes jointly scrutinised the scenario alongside the Brazilian police.
The flamboyant Argentine supporters’ passion towards their national team is unmistakable and Messi and co. will no doubt take inspiration from their die-hard faithful. If Argentina clinch their third world title, and they are more than capable of it, the fans will no doubt bask in the glory and savour one of the greatest journeys they have undertaken.
