What’s behind the ultras: “They disguise the neo-Nazi message with team symbols”

After the unfortunate incidents carried out by the colchonera fansthe executive has taken action on the matter, and the government delegation has requested all recordings of the match from Atlético de Madrid. The long-awaited derby between the red and white team and Real Madrid, played last Sunday, September 29 at the Wanda Metropolitano, was injured by a rain of objects thrown onto the field by the ultras. Police are still working to identify those responsible for these acts, having identified a suspect so far. ‘The critical look’ He delves into this group to discover who they are and how they organize themselves.

The Atlético Front is the most radical ultra group of Atlético de Madrid, with more than 50 years of history causing altercations. An amateur has described to us their modus operandi: “They are groups organized, all dressed in black, some hooded”. The same fan reports that they also organize “meetings with other ultra groups to fight.” Furthermore, they are two homicides attributed: that of Aitor Zabaleta, a Real Sociedad fan in 1998, and that of Jimmy, a follower of Deportivo de la Coruña in 2014. They have even invaded team training sessions, threatening both players and the coaching staff due to poor performance. Despite their record, the club seems reluctant to remove them from the stands, where they continue to cause problems.

Joan Caballero, expert on ultra groups, offers a clear perspective on the reality of the Atlético Front: “It is a platform to radicalize people. They disguise the message neo-Nazi with team symbols, but behind it there is a violent and politicized ideology“. Caballero openly describes them as “neo-Nazis” and explains that being in the stadium serves as a distraction for them. In an investigation he carried out for the Generalitat of Catalonia, he estimated that there were about 7,600 active members; Today it is believed that that number has risen to 9.000.

The expert also points out that competition between hooligans in Europe encourages violence: “Groups compete to be the most active, the best in animation and the most violent.” The person arrested yesterday was carrying a knife, it was reported. Regarding how to end these situations, Caballero emphasizes the need to “zero tolerance within the stadium, since the majority are members.” However, he recognizes that Outside the enclosure it is much more difficult to control them. It also highlights how these groups come to influence clubs: “They have even forced a minute of silence to be observed for one of their own.” These are just some of the disastrous situations that surround the Atlético Front.

After the recent incidents, Atlético de Madrid has confirmed the “permanent” expulsion of a fan identified as one of those responsible for throwing objects, and its security department is working to take the same measures with others involved. The club has begun to implement new actions, including the prohibition of entering the stadium with elements that make it difficult to identify attendees. However, Atlético has made it clear that the Frente Atlético It’s not a pitybut a “private association composed of club members”, who cannot be expelled unless they have a criminal record.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) published the audios of the conversation between referees during the match. The material reveals the most tense moments of the derby, especially when the visiting team’s goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, denounced that Several objects were thrown at him from the standsincluding lighters, a bag of food and a bottle of water: “I can’t play like that”you hear him say.

Francisco Martín, Government delegate in Madrid, explained why the police did not intervene in the Metropolitan: “The established protocol was applied. The function of Police are about solving problems, not creating them.and all their actions must be carried out proportionally, according to the professionalism they always demonstrate, and that was the case on Sunday.”