freedomfreedom forfor thethe terracesterraces 20132012 34 COUNTRIES | 14 QUESTIONS Publisher: ProFans Sandra Schwedler Postfach 028863 10131 Berlin [email protected] www.profans.de A project of ProFans in collaboration with WELKOM IN AMSTERDAM! Another year passed by, the 6th European Football Fans’ Congress takes part in Amsterdam this weekend and meanwhile for seven years we develop the project “Freedom for the terraces”. Originally started as a part of an exhibition 2006 in Hamburg, the project became much more by now. It’s still kind of an exhibition – at least every year at the Football Fans’ Congress – but it’s also published as reader and actually it’s a really big research organised and developed by football supporters. And it’s still growing. This year we’re happy to announce that supporters of 34 countries took part and answered 14 questions about fans’ paraphernalia, police repression, ticket prices, pyrotechnics and much more. “Freedom of the terraces” is a project of ProFans in association with FSE. ProFans is a nationwide supporters’ organisation in Germany, dedicated in the fight of supporter’s rights. Actually ProFans and FSE just provide an organisational framework, but work is done by many other people around Europe resp. the world. We have to say that you did a fantastic work this year again. So, thank you very much, for answering our questions, connecting people or just being supportive! The result is magnificent! In case of any question or if you miss a country or you would like to add something, don’t hesitate to contact us via e-mail: [email protected] And now: Enjoy! Dan / Prague & Sandra / Hamburg ProFans, July 2013 – 1 – ARGENTINA s ► Capital: Buenos Aires ► Language: Spanish ► No. of inhabitants: 40.1 million ► No. of fi rst fi rst league teams: 20 ► Part since: 2008 ► Last Update: 2013 Which restrictions do fans face when they want to get their ma- Give us three typical examples of police conduct towards fans 1. terial (scarves, fl ags, etc.) into the stadiums? Are home fans and 3. (e. g. police escort at away games). away fans treated differently? If so, in what way? First of all, we should mention that the organised supporters’ groups In Argentina, there seem to be as many rules as security chiefs. (usually known as “barras bravas”) are escorted by the police when Each security chief moulds the rules, which is why different criteria they travel to away games. These restrictions tend to create lots of prevail. For instance, at some stadia in the district of Buenos Aires, problems: sometimes they guide the visitors to the home entrance it is forbidden to enter with banners that are longer than two me- by mistake or produce fi ghts between the police and the groups ters. At other stadiums in the same area, all kinds of banners, even they have in custody. Secondly, the home supporters have to wait drums and other forms of percussion are allowed. Arbitrariness is in the stadiums for 15 or 20 minutes after the match has fi nished. also widespread: local fans are often given permission that visitors This police strategy often remains incomprehensible and therefore never obtain. generates inconveniences among the home supporters. Someti- mes home supporters avoid this policy due to the negligence or Every district has its own rules because every province (each of indolence of the police - which produces confrontations. Thirdly, Argentina’s 23 states) is autonomous, so the criteria are not unifi ed. police have developed different measures to fi lter out intoxicated Arbitrariness in terms of decisions is a big problem and, in general, fans or those with pending court hearings from entering the sta- clubs have agreements or “friendship” with the local police. Another diums. Police have established various methods to measure the important thing is that up to the current season in the second and level of alcohol and can register offenders by fi ngerprints. None of third divisions, away fans were not allowed into stadiums during those measures has been very effective: only a few people can be matches. This was changed only because River Plate (the biggest checked because such devices cause delays. In general, their ef- football team in Argentina) was relegated to the second division. fectiveness in reducing violence in sport is questionable. Then, there’s the issue of the law that prohibits fans from showing The delays are actually an excuse given by the Ministry of Security. fl ags or banners with racist slogans and wearing clothes or showing There are no real reasons for not updating the system. the colours of the rival team. Also, a lot of “barras bravas” keep their fl ags in the club in spaces provided by the club directors themsel- Do the organized fans (ultras) form a network with fans of other ves. As to the purchase of fl ags or scarves, there’s normally a stand clubs and how does that work? Which functions and objectives near the stadium on match days or in the club or on the Internet. 4. do their alliances have? The problem is when people want to install big fl ags in stadiums during matches: they always need the authorisation from the hoo- The organised fan groups, the “barras bravas”, do not have a formal ligans. relationship with each other. They are focused on a constant fi ght for symbolic supremacy – who has the biggest group, who has the Are stadium bans imposed in your country and / or do you have a best singing group, who can mobilise more fans for away games, 2. state-run central register of “potentially dangerous fans”? who is involved in most fi ghts. In some cases, there are alliances or help to face the police or judicial prosecution. Any such solidarity is - Which “offence” can lead to a stadium ban? however, temporary and individual rather than a permanent feature - What does a stadium ban mean (duration, regional boundaries)? among the organisations. - What incidents would add your name to this central register? - Which consequences could such a registration have for an individual? What measures do you take against restrictions, bans and repres- sion, as individuals, regionally or even nationwide (e. g. banners)? There is a register of those who have committed a crime in the 5. How do your clubs support your claims and your work? fi eld of football, but it is not updated and not actually used. The punishments refer to participation in violent acts, fi ghts among fans This question should be answered by the authorities and the fans or against security forces. Spectators are afraid to be identifi ed as separately. We are just experts in the fi eld, not the actors. But: there violent actors because it would lead to stadium bans. Nevertheless, are no groups of organized fans, just the “barras”, therefore there many convicted people ignore the prohibitions and enter the stadi- are neither measures nor actions against restrictions and repression. ums by seizing the opportunity to hide in the middle of the crowd, helped by the complicity of an inoperative police force. Is the usage of pyrotechnic articles / fl are legal or tolerated in your 6. country? If so, on what terms? If not, what kinds of sanctions are there? No, people are not allowed to use any of those articles. A fan of Racing Club was killed by a fl are in 1983 during a match between Racing Club and Boca Juniors. From then on, these articles have been banned. However, no-one respects the existing law. The pu- nishment is discretional and depends on the judge. s – 2 – ARGENTINA Do you have standing areas? If so, in what proportion are the How soon in advance your match days are usually definitely 7. numbers of standing spaces to the number of seats? Is the inclu- 11. scheduled? Are short-dated amendments / delays to match day sion of an appropriate number of standing spaces taken into account fixtures still possible after that? What does the splitting of match days with new stadia? look like (e. g. 2 x Fri 6 pm, 3 x …)? Who is responsible for the match day fixtures in your opinion (TV, clubs, police)? In Argentina not met the FIFA regulations to be all seated. football stadium in two sectors: one called „pit“, where chairs to sit, this sec- Schedules and assigned days are seldom respected. The orga- tor has always existed and this is for people more calm and seniors. nisation is based on TV broadcast (two matches on Friday, three and other popular area known generally, is the area behind the ar- on Saturdays, four on Sunday and one on Monday). However, this ches where ALL ARE STANDING. In Argentina has tried to start with changes every weekend. Especially the ones on Saturday and Sun- the FIFA regulations, to be all seated but has not been achieved yet. day, mainly for security reasons related to fights between groups of In Argentina, football is expressly lived up and so you want to conti- fans or political decisions. nue living this way, standing. , We understand that violence in football that does not depend on anyone is standing or sitting. Who “owns” the clubs? (membership-based, listed on the 12. stock exchange, sponsorship, patron, etc.) And what does How much is the cheapest ticket and how much the most expen- this mean for decisions concerning the clubs? (How influential are 8. sive? Can everybody afford those prices? supporters, members, sponsors, owner…) The cheapest one is about 40 pesos (7 Euros). The most expensive They are normally non-profit organisations but there are a few cases one is about 300 pesos (53 Euros).