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Real Madrid moves to send off Ultras Sur fans Real Madrid moves to send off Ultras Sur fans
(about 11 hours later)
For 33 years, they've been the loudest and often most embarrassing fans in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. But now Real Madrid is looking to replace the Ultras Sur supporters with a more respectable crowd. For 33 years, they have been the loudest and often most embarrassing fans in the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. But now Real Madrid are looking to replace the Ultras Sur supporters with a more respectable crowd.
Come January, the club president, Florentino Pérez, will reassign the Ultras' seats to younger, better behaved supporters, and will ban some of the most radical Ultras from the stadium, according to the Spanish sports daily AS.Come January, the club president, Florentino Pérez, will reassign the Ultras' seats to younger, better behaved supporters, and will ban some of the most radical Ultras from the stadium, according to the Spanish sports daily AS.
From their seats behind the south goal, the members of the extreme-right group have for decades boisterously cheered on Real Madrid. Considered to be one of the most powerful fan groups in La Liga Española, the group counts on an estimated 1,000 members. It is noted for its neo-Nazi paraphernalia, violence and racist chants. From their seats behind the south goal, the members of the extreme-right group have for decades boisterously cheered on Real Madrid. Considered one of the most powerful fan groups in the Spanish league, the group has an estimated 1,000 members. It is noted for its neo-Nazi paraphernalia, violence and racist chants.
The Ultras Sur recently grabbed headlines in Spain after four members were fined €3,000 (£2,513) and banned from sporting events for a year after they flaunted swastikas and other Nazi symbols during a match against Atlético Madrid. The Ultras Sur recently grabbed headlines in Spain after four members were fined €3,000 (£2,500) and banned from sporting events for a year after they flaunted swastikas and other Nazi symbols during a match against Atlético Madrid.
Other members of the group were caught selling fascist memorabilia at a school market. And a violent bar brawl last month between factions of the Ultras Sur was blamed on an internal dispute. According to AS, Pérez is planning on replacing the Ultras' 885 seats with a new "fans sur" stand of 1,600 seats next year. Younger season ticket-holders will be encouraged to move to this section and lead the stadium in cheering. Other members of the group were caught selling fascist memorabilia at a school market. And a violent bar brawl last month between factions of the Ultras Sur was blamed on an internal dispute. According to AS, Pérez plans to replace the Ultras' 885 seats with a "fans sur" stand of 1,600 seats next year. Younger season ticket holders will be encouraged to move to this section and lead the stadium in cheering.
Real Madrid's press office refused to confirm the reports.Real Madrid's press office refused to confirm the reports.
The move has been compared to measures taken by Joan Laporta, who on becoming president of FC Barcelona in 2003 banned the far-right Boixos Nois fans from Camp Nou. While their members have been spotted at the stadium since then, the group continues to be officially banned.The move has been compared to measures taken by Joan Laporta, who on becoming president of FC Barcelona in 2003 banned the far-right Boixos Nois fans from Camp Nou. While their members have been spotted at the stadium since then, the group continues to be officially banned.
During his three years as coach with Real Madrid, José Mourinho defended the Ultras Sur fans, whom he credited with creating an atmosphere in the stadium.During his three years as coach with Real Madrid, José Mourinho defended the Ultras Sur fans, whom he credited with creating an atmosphere in the stadium.
After a match in which Real Madrid beat Osasuna 7-1, Mourinho told reporters that if it had not been for the Ultras Sur and their cheering, "you would think the stadium was empty".After a match in which Real Madrid beat Osasuna 7-1, Mourinho told reporters that if it had not been for the Ultras Sur and their cheering, "you would think the stadium was empty".
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