Argentine newspaper Clarín recently reported that the Barra Bravas of several teams in the Argentine First Division have struck a deal with the Argentine government to provide security for government events (whatever that means) in exchange for tickets to the World Cup in South Africa — paid for by the government. That is, airfare paid for by Argentine taxpayers. Needless to say, many Argentines are not pleased by this news.
For those of you who many not know, Barra Bravas are the names given to football supporters groups across Latin America. Some of you U.S. based readers may be familiar with D.C. United’s Barra Brava, a supporters group that organizes game support for serious, dedicated supporters. Barra Bravas in Argentina are slightly different. In Argentina, Barra Bravas have long been associated with criminal activity, hooliganism, and all around suspect behavior. Generally, the incredibly organized support that you see in the stands at matches in Argentina is just a sliver of what Barra Brava organizations do. Their tentacles reach deep into the fabric of Argentine society. Now imagine your government, not just associating, but paying the airfare to South Africa for members affiliated with whatever organization(s) in your country can be described as criminal, hooliganish, and generally suspect. Interesting, no?
Clarín reports that Barra Bravas from twelve Argentine clubs – Independiente, Vélez Sarfield, Racing, Huracán, Lanús, Rosario Central, Argentinos, Tigres, Chacarita, Gimnasia, Colón and Godoy Cruz – are part of this deal. Thankfully, the deal was apparently only struck once the Barras agreed to avoid violence in local stadiums up until the World Cup.
Brilliant. That makes me feel much better.
In exchange for agreeing to behave like you’re supposed to, you get free airfare to South Africa on taxpayer dollars (or Argentine pesos in this instance), and you get to cause all the havoc you want while in South Africa without running the risk of breaking the agreement brokered with the government. So please everyone, no more chaos in our stadiums … until the World Cup. Other stadiums, fine.
And the best part about this story is that not many people in Argentina are that surprised by this deal. What does that tell you?
