The political role of Brazil’s football ultras

Political tensions in Brazil were taken up a notch on Sunday, as protesters for and against the Bolsonaro government clashed on the streets of São Paulo. On one side, there were demonstrators in support of the current administration, who have flouted social isolation measures on a weekly basis to demand the closure of Congress and the Supreme Court. This time, however, they were confronted by an anti-fascist march “in favor of democracy,” headed by organized groups of supporters of São Paulo’s biggest football clubs, representing a show of unity between factions that are traditionally fierce rivals.

The protest was organized on social media by anti-fascist supporters clubs and collectives belonging to the city’s four biggest football teams: Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo, and Santos. While not officially endorsed by the largest organized supporters groups in the city, members of the Corinthians-supporting Gaviões da Fiel, Palmeiras’ Mancha Alviverde, São Paulo’s Independente, and Santos’ Torcida Jovem were seen among the crowd of thousands gathered on São Paulo’s Avenida Paulista.

As the protest converged with pro-Bolsonaro demonstrators, the anti-fascist group was pushed back by the military police’s riot squad, using flash bombs and tear gas.

Football rivals joining forces for democracy

Not only was Sunday’s protest significant as the first time anti-Bolsonaro demonstrators have taken to the street during the Covid-19 pandemic, but it also represented a historic show of solidarity between warring fan groups, more accustomed to facing off against one another in running street battles.

Speaking to newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo, one Palmeiras supporter present...