The 10 craziest football fans in the world

To have a good atmosphere at a football game, you need a good on-field showing and a good off field showing. Both are inter-connected. A good showing by the fans involving loud chants, songs and pyro shows an immediately boosts the team when its down, a case in point being Liverpool‘s infamous comeback from 3 goals down over AC Milan to clinch the 2005 UEFA Champions League.

Please note that the top 10 is only a way of writing it, all these fans and many more supporter groups are almost at the same level.

10. Ultras SSC Napoli:

Ultras Napoli against Manchester City.

They make sure to fill up the Stadio San Paolo whenever they can. They made it hell for Manchester City last week, and their pyro show isn’t bad either. However there is an ugly side to this support as post games, there have been stabbings of other supporters and such violent activities. Against Bayern Munich, they threw flares into the German’s section while against Manchester City, a 19 year old City fan was slapped.

However, these are only a small section of fans and should not be considered as the same as the rest of the 60,000 loyal fans who show up week in, week out.

http://youtu.be/fthuIEh_R6Y

9. Gate 13

Panathinaikos fans.

Hardcore supporters of the Greek giants Panathinaikos AO, they, as the name suggests, enter the stadium via Gate 13. Formed in 1966, they are the oldest supporters in Greece and arguably one of the oldest in the world.

http://youtu.be/fthuIEh_R6Y

8. Ultras Ahlawy

Al-Ahly S.C. supporters organising one of their shows.

These are the fans of the Egyptian side Al-Ahly S.C. Arguably the best fans in Africa, they have organised pyro shows and made banners not only for their club but also for their national side. They are also the biggest supporter group in Egypt and came out in large numbers during the Egyptian protests again former President Hosni Mubarak.

Like many other Ultras groups all over the world, they have also come up with merchandise.

http://youtu.be/moBmiIToz5A

7. The Kop

The Kop.

Loyal Supporters of Liverpool FC. They are not violent and not an Ultras group, but just a bunch of good ol’ lads wanting to create an excellent game day atmosphere. Present wherever The Reds play, they make themselves heard with their amazingly well thought out chants. The most popular ones being “Dalglish,” which refers to the name of Liverpool legend and current manager(as on 26/11/11) Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Dalglish and “The Fields of Anfield Road.”

http://youtu.be/Asg-VcfU7_Y

6. Celtic Fans

Fans roaring at the Celtic Park Stadium.

These are fans of the Scottish side Celtic F.C. They too, like The Kop, are not Ultras. At the 2003 UEFA Cup Final against F.C. Porto in Seville, they had an estimated number of about 80,000 fans who traveled from Scotland to cheer their team on in Spain. Though Celtic lost the game, their fans won numerous awards including the Fair Play Award for the great turnout by the fans and their impeccable behaviour.

They have a signature style of cheering their team on, called “The Huddle” which ironically involves them turning their back on the game, putting their arms around each other and jumping up and down.

http://youtu.be/pAPB44pUFos

5. Ultras River Plate

River Plate fans putting on a show for their team.

As the name suggests, they are the fans of Argentine giants River Plate. They have gained a formidable reputation among their rivals and even though their club has now been relegated, their voice remains loud and strong.

http://youtu.be/eILYfE7LWcQ

4. Urawa Red’s Supporters

Urawa Red’s!

Supporters of the Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds. Their home stadium is Saitama, a prefecture of the capital Tokyo. Not Ultras, but they have amazing choreography. They even turn up at Japanese national games with chants of “Vamos Nippon,” and really are top class.

http://youtu.be/7k3hIPnjY6g

3. Wisla Krakow fans

Wisla Krakow supporters

They are a group of football supporters and regarded as the best in Poland. Support the Polish Champions from Krakow, Wisla Krakow and are known for their excellent choreography and pyro shows.

http://youtu.be/g9OJrHhgrAc

2. Delije

The Belgrade derby

Serbian fans of the team Red Star Belgrade. They are a group of Ultras whose activities are known to be sometimes extremely violent, bordering on hooliganism. Their cross-city rivals Partizan’s fans the Grobari are the same in their activities, and their derbies turn out to be very violent and hostile to the opposition.

1. Carsi

Carsi is the best known supporter group of Besiktas.

Supporters of the Turkish side Besiktas JK, they are commonly regarded as some of the best fans in the world. They are led by Alen Markaryan, who also happens to own a Kebab joint in Istanbul.

The following video is from Besiktas’ UEFA Cup tie against Bolton when the stadium was quietened down and then led into a controlled chaos:

http://youtu.be/04dmcdOHsJA