Diacronie. Studi di Storia Contemporanea (Jun 2020)

Contra toda autoridad. Fútbol, ultras y Revolución en Egipto. Entre el mito y la represión

  • Carles VIÑAS GRACIA

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 2
pp. 93 – 112

Abstract

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Since the emergence of the ultra-Egyptian movement at the beginning of the 21st century, following in the footsteps of their Tunisian counterparts, the stadium stands have become one of the few places where the country’s authorities could be criticised. By means of choreographies devised by organized radical fans, the fans made visible their malaise, both against Mubarak and against the military. Banners, chants and flags became the most effective vehicle of expression and protest. Their songs added to the soundtrack of the revolution that overthrew Mubarak in 2011 after three decades as president. Experienced in the confrontations with the police, the Egyptian ultras were the shock force that safeguarded the revolt. Subsequently, they maintained the pulse of the military. How did the transit of depoliticized supporters to guarantors of the revolution take place? Why were the Egyptians ultras involved in the Arab Spring? These are the hypotheses that we intend to answer in our article.

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