La Guardia Imperial

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La Guardia Imperial
AbbreviationLGI
Founded1958
TypeSupporters' group
TeamRacing Club de Avellaneda
LocationAvellaneda, Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina
ArenaEstadio Presidente Juan Domingo Perón
StandSouth (at home)
Colors   

La Guardia Imperial is an Argentine football barra brava group associated with Racing Club de Avellaneda.[1]

There are two other fan groups known as "La Barra del 95" and "Los Racing Stones". Together, they make up "La N.°1", Racing Club's fanbase.[2]

History[edit]

This supporters' group packed the Estadio Presidente Juan Domingo Perón when Racing faced Belgrano in the promotion match (2008)

In the 1940s, Argentine journalist Luis María Albamonte, also known as "Américo Barrios", dubbed Racing Club's fans "La Guardia Imperial" (English: The Imperial Guard).[3] He likened them to Napoleon's French Imperial Guard, portraying them as resilient and fiercely passionate supporters.[4][5][6]

Racing Club's hooligan group was established in 1958, but it wasn't until 1983 that they took on the name La Guardia Imperial. Before that, they were simply known as "la barra de la bandera" (the Flag Hooligans).[7]

In the late 1990s, La Guardia Imperial, along with the regular fanbase (not just hooligans), rallied to stop the judicial auction of the headquarters in Villa del Parque neighbourhood of Buenos Aires.[8] They also gained attention for their knack of drawing huge crowds to the Cilindro de Avellaneda,[9] even on non-match days, like on March 7, 1999.[10] Another standout moment was when they managed to fill two stadiums simultaneously on the final matchday of the Apertura 2001 season.[11]

Today, various factions are competing for control after the hooligan group split in 2002.[12] For many years, a faction based in Dock Sud held dominance,[13][14][15][16] but now, a group from the shantytown Villa Corina (Avellaneda), known as "Los Pibes de Racing", has taken the lead.[17][18][19][20]

Violence[edit]

Violent battle between the stadium police and La Guardia Imperial (1983)

The hooligan group linked with Racing Club, known as La Guardia Imperial, has its origins in 1958. Initially known for stealing flags and symbols from rival teams, they gained notoriety in 1967 when the theft of a Huracán umbrella led to the death of a Racing Club fan named Héctor Souto.[21]

Over time, tensions grew between La Guardia Imperial and La 12, Boca Juniors' hooligan faction.[22] Things came to a head in August 1983 when a Racing Club supporter named Roberto Basile was fatally injured during a match at La Bombonera. This incident prompted "La Guardia Imperial" to leave the stadium, vowing revenge.[23][24][25]

In December 1983, Racing Club was relegated to Argentina's second division. A tense match against C. A. Racing (Córdoba) led to violent clashes between Racing fans and the police.[26] Horacio Baldo, known as "Cacho de Ciudadela", was one of the hooligan leaders involved.[27]

During Racing's time in the second division, their hooligans formed an alliance with Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, united by their mutual dislike for Estudiantes La Plata.[28][29]

Racing's return to the top division in December 1985 was marred by the tragic murder of another supporter, Daniel Souto, by Boca's hooligans.[30] This further escalated tensions between hooligan factions in Argentina.

In 1988, tensions flared during a derby against Boca. A projectile explosion near Boca's goalkeeper, Carlos Navarro Montoya, led La Guardia Imperial to chant defiantly.[31] The match was abruptly halted, with Boca unexpectedly awarded the points.[32]

In 1990, rumors circulated about Racing's hooligans being involved in the death of a Boca Juniors fan, but no evidence was found.[33]

Despite clashes with La 12, La Guardia Imperial's main rival remains Independiente's hooligan group, known as la barra del Rojo (the red team's hooligans). Despite their rivalry, a degree of respect existed between the two factions, rooted in "Old School" principles of hand-to-hand combat.[34] However, tensions escalated following the murder of a Racing fan, Waldo Rodríguez, in 1997.[35][36]

In 2002, before the Avellaneda derby between Racing and Independiente at the old "La Doble Visera" stadium, tensions flared. Shots were fired by Independiente fans from the stadium towards a quincho where La Guardia Imperial leaders were gathered.[37] This led to a swift and vengeful response, as enraged members took to Cordero Street (now Ricardo Bochini), next to Independiente's stadium, where they fatally attacked Gustavo Rivero, an Independiente supporter.[38]

Violence peaked during both Avellaneda derbies in 2006, prompting authorities to label the matches as high-risk due to widespread hooliganism.[39][40]

Flags[edit]

Most biggest flag of Racing Club, released in 1997 (2022)

Despite their turbulent reputation, Racing Club's hooligan faction proudly showcases two of the biggest flags ever seen in a football stadium. The first made its debut during the 1997 Copa Libertadores match against River Plate.[41][42] The second was unveiled during a 2010 game against All Boys in the Argentine First Division.[43]

In popular culture[edit]

There's a tango called A la Guardia Imperial, composed by José Colángelo, as a tribute to the renowned group of Racing Club supporters.[44]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "La Guardia Imperial - Racing Club". barrabrava.net. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  2. ^ "Estarían identificados los asesinos del hincha". LA NACION (in Spanish). 1997-06-03. Retrieved 2023-07-09.
  3. ^ "La Guardia Imperial". La Razón. No. 945. Buenos Aires. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Nuestra Bandera Recibió el Bautismo de la "Hora 0"". Revista Racing. 1945. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  5. ^ "El día que la UCR denunció a cuatro presidentes de Racing y a uno de sus fundadores". www.elnacionalnoticias.com.ar. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  6. ^ Barnade, Oscar. "¿Cómo nació el apodo de los cinco grandes del fútbol argentino?". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  7. ^ "Una semana histórica". Revista Racing. 17 May 1981. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
  8. ^ "A 23 años del día que los hinchas de Racing impidieron el remate de la sede de Villa del Parque". www.tycsports.com. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  9. ^ "Los cinco partidos con más público en la historia del fútbol argentino". 90min.com (in European Spanish). 2019-04-29. Retrieved 2024-03-09.
  10. ^ "Día del hincha de Racing: la muestra de amor de la gente que salvó al club - TyC Sports". www.tycsports.com (in Spanish). 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  11. ^ Llenó dos canchas Archived 2008-06-16 at the Wayback Machine en el Diario Olé. Consultado el 21 de septiembre de 2008.
  12. ^ "Detuvieron a un cabecilla de la hinchada de Racing". infobae (in European Spanish). 2005-04-10. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  13. ^ "La gente empezó a decirles no a los violentos". infobae (in European Spanish). 2007-03-26. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
  14. ^ Olé, Diario Deportivo. "Guardia con ésta". Olé (in Spanish). Retrieved 2011-12-17.
  15. ^ "La Guardia Imperial: con Kirchner a todos lados". Perfil (in Spanish). 2006-10-13. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  16. ^ "Página/12 :: Deportes :: Aprietes en barra". www.pagina12.com.ar. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
  17. ^ Clarín, Redacción (2016-10-02). "Feroz balacera entre barras de Racing: un herido". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  18. ^ Clarín, Redacción (2021-08-24). "Los Pibes de Racing, la facción que ganó la guerra interna de la barra y se aseguró un botín millonario por partido". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  19. ^ ""Si no entramos, hay balas para todos": qué pasa en la barra de Racing, en alerta máxima - TyC Sports". www.tycsports.com. 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
  20. ^ IR, Redacción. "Avellaneda: Detuvieron a cinco barras de Racing fuertemente armados". InfoRegión (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-01-24.
  21. ^ "El primer muerto por barras en el fútbol argentino: tenía 15 años y lo asesinaron a sangre fría - TyC Sports". www.tycsports.com (in Spanish). 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  22. ^ Sardi, Publicadas por Pablo (3 August 2015). "Escribir, escribir, escribir..." Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  23. ^ Grabia, Gustavo (2015). La Doce. Sudamericana.
  24. ^ "Una historia teñida de muerte". La Nación. Buenos Aires. 1 February 2000. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  25. ^ "Bombonera: estádio de alegria e horror já foi palco da morte de torcedor do Racing pela 'La Doce'". O Globo. Brasil. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  26. ^ Bauso, Por Matías (2023-12-18). "A 40 años del descenso de Racing: crónica en primera persona de un año futbolístico trágico". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2024-02-14.
  27. ^ bohemiovlp. "Muore lo storico leader de La Guardia Imperial del Racing; "CACHO" de Ciudadela R.I.P". VAMO' LO' PIBE'! (in Italian). Retrieved 2012-07-20.
  28. ^ "En el Día del Amigo, cuatro hinchadas que hicieron amistades en el fútbol argentino | Deportes". Vía País (in Spanish). 2023-07-20. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  29. ^ "La revancha de Racing: De "dejar de existir" a otra final". www.infocielo.com (in Spanish). 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2024-02-19.
  30. ^ Clarín, Redacción (2000-02-01). "Siete asesinatos que nunca se resolvieron". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-11-18.
  31. ^ Racing vs Boca Jrs. Campeonato 1988-1989. Suspensión del partido por graves incidentes. La noticia. Retrieved 2024-04-16 – via www.youtube.com.
  32. ^ Clarín, Redacción (2015-05-21). "Cuando Boca ganó un partido en los escritorios". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-02-16.
  33. ^ Amílcar Romero (1999). "LA MUERTE, ¿UN GOL EN CONTRA?". www.efdeportes.com. Retrieved 2023-07-21.
  34. ^ "Quién era el "Gallego Popey", el ex barra que murió en una interna". Tiempo de San Juan (in Spanish). 2014-12-26. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  35. ^ Clarín, Redacción (1997-10-08). "Barrabrava preso por el asesinato de otro hincha". Clarín (in Spanish).
  36. ^ Clarín, Redacción (1999-03-17). "Lo juzgan por un crimen pero dice que él no mató a nadie". Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  37. ^ Clarín, Redacción (2002-02-19). "Nadie se hace cargo de la muerte y hoy vuelve a haber fútbol en Racing". Clarín (in Spanish).
  38. ^ "Americas |Football fan killed in Argentina". BBC News. 18 February 2002. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
  39. ^ "Andmundo article". Archived from the original on July 7, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
  40. ^ "Un clásico con demasiada custodia policial". infobae (in European Spanish). 2007-11-23. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  41. ^ "El día que Racing presentó la "bandera más grande del mundo" - TyC Sports". www.tycsports.com (in Spanish). 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  42. ^ "La impresionante bandera de Racing que volvió a utilizarse después de 18 años - TyC Sports". www.tycsports.com. 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  43. ^ Canal 26. "Monstruoso: Racing estrenó la bandera más grande del mundo". Canal26 (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-02-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  44. ^ "A la Guardia Imperial. Tango". www.todotango.com. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
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