The 'Ultra' fans of Istanbul's three biggest football clubs, known for their violent rivalries begin fighting side-by-side to protect civilians from police, as 'Istanbul United'.
The Ultra Fans of the three foremost football clubs in Istanbul, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas, have been known all over Europe for their unconditional support of their teams, and their mutual rivalry that often resulted in extremely violent clashes. The current protest movement in Turkey -originated to protect Gezi-park against demolition- is a movement against the ruling AK party. The ruthless dealings of the police against peaceful protesters sparked a nation-wide movement. Then something remarkable happened: fans of the competing football teams united for a common cause for the first time ever. The football ultras now fight side by side against the police and use their experience with clashes to help the protesters against tear gas and to build barricades. The name for their alliance: Istanbul United.—Anonymous
All over todays world we can witness acts of civil disobedience against the ruling powers. Thegroups of protesters often consist of a wide range of different interest groups. At times these alliancesare able to bridge deeply rooted conflicts in order to unite for a common cause. One such allianceformed out of the most unlikely parties during the Turkish protests against the ruling AK party andPrime Minister Erdogan in June 2013. For years fans of the three main football clubs in Istanbul(Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Galatasaray) have been known all over Europe for their unconditionalsupport of their teams and their mutual rivalry that often resulted in extremely violent clashes againsteach other or the police, with countless injuries and even deaths. Then something remarkablehappened: during the demonstrations and clashes fans of the competing football teams united for acommon cause for the first time ever. People notorious for their mutual hate stood side by side notonly fighting the police but using their experience to help other protesters dealing with tear gas attacksand by building barricades.
Soon a name for their alliance was found: Istanbul United.
Although the protests faded away, their aftereffects are still present. The Turkish state is coming downhard on the fan groups. Due to harsh restrictions regarding political chants and banners in thestadiums, the ongoing police brutality during matches and mass arrests of fans and their leaders, it isbecoming increasingly difficult for fans to maintain their lifestyle and their fanatic love of their teamsand the game of football.
Many of the people who were protesting and fighting at Taksim now find themselves at importantcrossroads. Although they still desire to be part of their ultra firms, which they have considered familytheir entire lives, some of them now question their beliefs and values and have started to view theirpriorities and positions in a completely different way. Even though there always will be a natural rivalrybetween supporters of different teams, a feeling of togetherness has evolved between parts of the fanscene; an understanding that their mutual hate will eventually destroy the one thing that connectsthem: the joy of football.
On the other hand frictions among supporters of the same team have become visible: leftists,Islamists and conservatives are now much more aware of their differences and the leaders of the ultrafirms are facing increasing difficulties in holding their groups together. Football once again proves tobe a mirror of society and serves both as unifying and dividing force.
