Barra brava is a name for organized supporter groups of football teams in Latin America. This style of supporting is very similar to European ultras. It includes standing throughout the match, singing and other enthusiastic behavior. Some barras bravas have developed reputations for hooliganism. The phenomenon originated in Argentina and Uruguay in the 1950s and '60s, but it has spread throughout the Americas in the '90s. In Brazil, the organized torcida plays a similar role and in México both the term barras and porras are used.
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In this country there are the largest and strongest organized supporter groups in the world.[1]
Although in Argentina all the barras bravas are considered dangerous, security agencies believe that the barra brava of Chacarita Jrs, second comes Racing club (La Guardia Imperial), then Independiente is the ,[2] followed by the barras of Newell's Old Boys, Boca Juniors and River Plate.[3]
In Bolivia the barras bravas only are in La Paz, Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cochabamba. While not as unconditionally supporting, they tend to be 'more fair' with themselves, supporting the team only when it deserves. The biggest barras bravas in Bolivia are both from Santa Cruz de La Sierra, Cochabamba and La Paz: La Pesada Verde, Los Chiflados, Gurkas, La Gloriosa Ultra Sur 34 and La Temible. In 2006 La Pesada Verde fought against Los Borrachos del Tablón when Oriente Petrolero was losing against River Plate 0-1. In the Copa Sudamericana 2009, one of the members of La Banda 46 went into the field to a hit a River Plate de Montevideo player.
In Brazil the Barras only play a major role on the extreme south of the country. Elsewhere, the torcida organizadas (organized supporters) have complete dominance. While not as unconditionally supporting, they tend to be 'more fair' with themselves, supporting the team only when it deserves. The biggest Barra in Brazil is from the state of Rio Grande do Sul: Geral do Grêmio.
In Ecuador the Barras Bravas was starting in the 80s in the City of Guayaquil, The first Barra Brava organized in Ecuador was from Club Sport Emelec named Boca del Pozo, it was the first band chanting during games bringing flags and flairs to the stadiums,the second band organized in Ecuador was from Emelec biggest rivals Barcelona Sporting Club they named their Barra Brava Sur Oscura (English:Dark South),and then other Clubs from Ecuador started to create their own Barras Bravas, Liga Deportiva Universitaria named their Barra Brava Muerte Blanca (English:White Death)and Sociedad Deportivo Quito named their band Mafia Azul Grana (English:blue Mafia AKA: AKD)