The protest in Moldova that infuriated the coach is yet another episode
Chants in memory of Gabriele Sandri, the ultras fan killed in 2007 at a rest stop by a gunshot fired by a police officer, chants in support of the fans banned from Euro 2024 and of Sebastiani Rieti—who in October killed the driver of the Pistoia Basket fans’ bus with a rock—as well as repeated insults against the FIGC. Cheers for the team for one half (the first), then threatening chants like “Go get a job” or “We’re coming to Coverciano” that infuriated coach Rino Gattuso. The Ultras Italia in Moldova stole the show and didn’t make us look good. As a country. They’ve been following the Azzurri’s matches for years; they have a website where they list their “feats,” such as turning their backs when the Israeli national anthem is played. The last time this happened was in Debrecen two months ago.
Last night at Zimbru in Chisinau, there were over 500 Italians in attendance. Many Italian flags bore the name of the city of origin for each small group. No ultras scarves linked to individual Serie A or lower-division teams. When the national team plays, love for one’s own club takes a back seat. In Moldova, many ultras were dressed in black: not a novelty, nor a coincidence. The political background is far-right. There’s no point beating around the bush. Even if those directly involved claim that politics had nothing to do with them or the national team. Ultras Italia was founded in 2000 and over the years has distinguished itself (not in a positive way) for the “black march” in Sofia in 2008, featuring Roman salutes, chants for the Duce, and clashes with the police, but also for taking a stand in subsequent years against players of foreign descent and Black players wearing the Azzurri jersey (Balotelli among the targets). Unfortunately, fascist salutes followed in 2016, with three fans from Bari under investigation. At the last European Championship, many were detained and banned by the police for an impromptu march in Dortmund complete with the Italian national anthem and fascist salutes.
origins— Ultras Italia members come from all over the country, particularly from the South (Puglia being the leading region) and the Center (Lazio in the lead). Among the cities often represented with flags are Andria, Galatina, Verona, Casarano, Nardò, Pagani, Massa, Latina, Barletta, Reggio Calabria, Molfetta, and Catanzaro. Abroad, the phenomenon of fans… of the national team is more widespread, while in Italy it hasn’t really taken hold. At least numerically. Certainly, since last night, the spotlight has once again turned on Ultras Italia, who are active mainly at away games because it’s easier to buy tickets on those occasions. As soon as Italy’s match schedule is announced, many of them organize to book low-cost flights (when traveling by car or bus isn’t possible) and budget hotels. They communicate via social media or stay in touch, from north to south, through WhatsApp and Telegram. Then they head to the stadium to sing. And as a nation, we often don’t make a very good impression.
