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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
This supporters' group packed El Cilindro when Racing faced CA 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
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]
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
Most biggest flag of Racing Club, released in 1997 (2022)
Club Atlético Boca Juniors, more commonly referred to as simply Boca Juniors, is an Argentine professional sports club based in La Boca, a neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. The club is best known for its men's professional football team which, since its promotion in 1913, has always played in the Argentine Primera División. The team has won 74 official titles, the most by any Argentine club. National titles won by Boca Juniors include 35 Primera División championships, and 17 domestic cups. Boca Juniors also owns an honorary title awarded by the Argentine Football Association for their successful tour of Europe in 1925.
Racing Club de Avellaneda, officially known as Racing Club, is an Argentine professional sports club based in Avellaneda, a city of the Buenos Aires Province. Founded in 1903, Racing has been historically considered one of the Big Five clubs of Argentine football, and is also known as El Primer Grande, for becoming the first club in the world to win seven league titles in a row, first Argentine club to win a national cup, and the first world champion Argentine club. Racing currently plays in the Primera División, the top division of the Argentine league system, and plays its home games at Estadio Presidente Perón, better known colloquially as El Cilindro.
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El Cilindro, oficially named Presidente Perón Stadium, is an association football stadium in Avellaneda, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. It is the home of Racing Club, one of Argentina's top football clubs.
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