‘Ultras’ describes football fans who fanatically support their team, chanting and using drums and other instruments at games, setting off smoke bombs and flares, and showing flags, banners, and colourful stand displays – known as tifo.
Many also engage in violence with rivals. ‘Casual’ can also be used to describe fans involved in hooliganism. The term ‘Ultras’ came from Italy, but groups have existed across the world, with Brazil having factions as far back as the 1930s.
Scottish fan violence came to prominence around the 1960s and 1970s, with Celtic, Rangers, Hearts and Hibs fans engaging in hooliganism at games. Casuals groups – known as ‘firms’ – were formed.
There have been a number of incidents at Scottish matches in recent weeks. On January 2, Hibernian fans clashed with St Johnstone supporters in Perth city centre, both before and after the sides’ 1-1 draw at McDiarmid park.
Videos posted online showed several police vehicles driving down the street as fans ran from officers. Pictures taken before the match showed over 50 fans clad in all black walking together.
Videos and pictures after the match show fans with faces covered and hoods up engaging with cops. Last month, Celtic and Rangers fans clashed in Glasgow city centre ahead of the League Cup Final at Hampden Park.
In shocking scenes caught on camera, supporters sporting Santa hats brawled in the street. The scenes were so ugly that St Margaret of Scotland Hospice had to cancel a fundraiser as the charity’s bus came under fire from rival thugs.
A 26-year-old man was seriously assaulted in the Argyle Street area and rushed to hospital aid the carnage, while a police officer was hit by a missile and hurt.
And officers were called to Gallagher’s Bar – a Celtic pub in Glasgow’s Howard Street – after a firework was launched inside in a terrifying incident which saw Rangers ultras storming the premises, smashing windows and attacking the building.
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