Torcida

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Torcidas are formal (or informal) associations of football fans in Brazil in the same vein as argentian barras and European ultras. The name is based on the verb torcer, which means "to root for" but also "to wring" and "to turn". The supposition is that the behaviour of the fans present at the stadium could help the team gather strength to beat the opponent.

In the beginning, and until the sixties, torcidas were informal associations of fans who gathered to buy fireworks, cloth for large flags, and other stuff to be used during celebrations. Later, such associations became permanent and were formalised legally as non-profit recreational associations, still with the primary goal of providing a better spectacle at the stadium and surroundings. Some of the noteworthy torcidas from this time were Gaviões da Fiel (Corinthians), Mancha Verde (Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras), Galoucura (Clube Atlético Mineiro), Máfia Azul (Cruzeiro Esporte Clube), Torcida Independente (São Paulo Futebol Clube), Raça Rubro-Negra, (Clube de Regatas do Flamengo), Força Jovem Vasco (Club de Regatas Vasco da Gama), Young Flu (Fluminense Football Club) and Os Fanáticos (Clube Atlético Paranaense). In the beginning the torcida movement was fragmentary, but would later consolidate in larger bodies or leagues. Some torcidas would open branches throughout the country to support their teams playing away (especially strong in this aspect are the torcidas of Flamengo and Vasco, given the national range of their supporters).

Torcidas would later become infamous for their association with stadium violence, which would cause Justice to disband some of them (notably Mancha Verde and Gaviões da Fiel). Some clubs (notably Flamengo) would also be plagued by rival torcidas which would battle each other as well as the opponent's.

Possibly because of Brazilian influence, there are some fan associations in Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia holding the name, like Torcida Split.