Besiktas FC and anarchism
Nov 25 2009 22:25
While enjoying them grab an unlikely victory over the perpetual schoolyard bullies at Old Trafford, I noticed the following - rather weird - article about Besiktas fans.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/8376619.stm
Quote:
Together they take part in Labour Day marches, do charity work, produce placards for matches, and even protest against government nuclear policy - or just meet up to drink and talk about football.Fans are introduced to ideas like anarchism and socialism that don't get an airing in traditional media, let alone most football stadia.
How much of this is true, outta interest? (Not really placing much importance on it, hence it being in Libcommunity.)
Also, the other day, I was told about a team in Sao Paulo who are 'openly' anarchist and apparently let all goals in. Rather inevitably, they also formed a punk band. Shit sounds fuckin ridiculous, gimme Arsenal anyday.
Nov 25 2009 23:21
#2
Quote:
How much of this is true
It is not. The only connection Besiktas has with anarchism is that their ultras, Çarşı use the anarchy logo, but not with any political connection. A famous slogan of theirs is ‘’Çarşı is against anything except Atatürk!”' They are nationalists.
Nov 26 2009 00:42
#3
They're never normally mentioned along with Europe's other lefty/anti-fascist teams like Livorno or AEK Athens.
Nov 26 2009 00:49
#4
there are lefty sports outfits? i never knew.
Quote:
There is also a so-called "triangle of brotherhood" between the most populous fan clubs of Olympique de Marseille, Livorno, and AEK Athens, namely between Commando Ultras 84, Brigate Autonome Livornesi 99, and Original 21. Their connection is mostly an ideological one. They also have a connection with Adana Demirspor (Şimşekler), St. Pauli, and Omonoia of Nicosia. The team's friendly game in September 2009 with Adana Demirspor created a leftist rally in the city of Adana, surprising everyone in Turkey.
Nov 26 2009 00:58
#5
Is it just me, or does the s in that banner look a lot like a nazi ss 's'?
?
Nov 26 2009 01:36
#6
Nov 26 2009 02:33
#7
petey wrote:
there are lefty sports outfits? i never knew.Quote:
There is also a so-called "triangle of brotherhood" between the most populous fan clubs of Olympique de Marseille, Livorno, and AEK Athens, namely between Commando Ultras 84, Brigate Autonome Livornesi 99, and Original 21. Their connection is mostly an ideological one. They also have a connection with Adana Demirspor (Şimşekler), St. Pauli, and Omonoia of Nicosia. The team's friendly game in September 2009 with Adana Demirspor created a leftist rally in the city of Adana, surprising everyone in Turkey.
That sounds about right. Livorno is where the Italian Communist Party was founded 80 or so years ago and is generally considered as a bastion of left wing politics in Italy, and St. Pauli is one of the best known "leftist" teams (mainly due to its celebrity fans). Wasn't aware that Olympique Marseille had a political reputation though.
Nov 26 2009 09:24
#8
I commented on this on the other thread. I will repost it here as it seems more popular:
Devrim wrote:
Personally, I am very sceptical about the whole left-wing football teams thing. Football clubs are businesses, and so in some countries are their supporters clubs. Çarşı (pronounced 'charshe'), for example, is a massive sports clothing mark.The Çarşi slogan 'Çarşi is against everything' is often sung like this "Çarşı, Atatürk hariç her şeye karşı", against everything but Ataturk (and there is a big picture of him on their website). In addition they stated publicly that the @ (see image) on their logo wasn't connected to anarchism.
I don't think that is that left a thing and that the imagery is just a part of a group identity thing.
In Ankara, for example, there are three football teams, one associated with the left, one the right, and one Islamicists, who are satisfyingly, at the moment, bottom with no points. It isn't that clear a thing though. When I go, which is only about half a dozen times a season these days, I go to the 'fascist' one, but lots of people I know who go their consider themselves to be socialists.
The group itself dissolved itself a few years back. Some of them did very well for themselves. The clothing company is very successful, and Alen Markaryan, the main chantleader, now owns a restaurant and writes newspaper columns.
Devrim
Nov 26 2009 10:24
#9
its all light and no heat, kbranno who posts here loves this shit as do a few wsm members, i dont see much in the difference between these political teams and the rest.
Nov 26 2009 17:30
#10
AEK Athens has in fact both anarchist communist, socialist and on the other hand far-right supporters, ... other teams with a large number of left-wing supporters are Hapoel Tel Aviv, SC Freiburg, Babelsberg Potsdam, Osasuna Pamplona and Real Sociedad San Sebastian
what about Britain?
Nov 27 2009 06:55
#11
In Britain it's nowhere near as pronounced as the continent since the whole culture around football is different i.e. the lack of Ultras and such groups. There are some hooligan firms who have political agendas though, such as the Chelsea Headhunters who have a notoriously fascist element and links with Loyalist groups from Rangers and Linfield in Northern Ireland. Other teams had a big racist element like Leeds and Millwall and Man City had separate hooligan firms for black and whites.
I did find this on youtube though, Celtic fans trying to be ultras with an antifascist banner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnNP56SfRTs
Nov 27 2009 11:13
#12
at last months uefa cup match Celtic - Hamburger Sport Verein (HSV), some HSV hools caused some trouble, it may be due to the fact that there are good contact between Celtic and St. Pauli supporters
Nov 27 2009 12:57
#13
ChrissyBoy wrote:
In Britain it's nowhere near as pronounced as the continent since the whole culture around football is different i.e. the lack of Ultras and such groups. There are some hooligan firms who have political agendas though, such as the Chelsea Headhunters who have a notoriously fascist element and links with Loyalist groups from Rangers and Linfield in Northern Ireland. Other teams had a big racist element like Leeds and Millwall and Man City had separate hooligan firms for black and whites.I did find this on youtube though, Celtic fans trying to be ultras with an antifascist banner:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnNP56SfRTs
A Southampton "fim" the Uglies were anti racist, and led by Militant and AFA members. Former members are still very active around the club as well, although there are also BNP members active.
Nov 27 2009 17:58
#14
But but but but THEY HANDED OUT ANTI-NF LEAFLETS AT OLD TRAFFORD ONCE!1!!! Haven't you guys READ "No Retreat"? 
This was more outta interest btw...these are vaguely interesting social phenomena IMO. I don't see much political worth to it.
Nov 27 2009 20:48
#15
British teams don't really have political afiliations
Tottenham fans call themselves 'yids' in an attempt to nulify the racism they have recieved down the years from Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham scum
this is the coolest one I can think of 
Nov 27 2009 22:06
#16
D wrote:
British teams don't really have political afiliations.
Nov 27 2009 22:13
#17
Fair enough
change that to English teams
the SPL is so sht it doesn't register on my radar when thinking football
Nov 27 2009 22:19
#18
Good point. You can hardly call it football.
Nov 28 2009 19:42
#19
D wrote:
Fair enoughchange that to English teams
the SPL is so sht it doesn't register on my radar when thinking football ;)
Funny how when Celtic beat Blackburn and Liverpool in a uefa cup run about 4 years ago you changed your tune.
Btw during the Blackburn - Celtic game some friends of mine got attacked for being celtic supporters by the fash with pepper spray.
Anarchists letting goals in? Sounds about right, do they regularly score own goals too?