Supporters of FC Barcelona

Last updated

Barcelona supporters during a match at Camp Nou. Tifo at Camp Nou.jpg
Barcelona supporters during a match at Camp Nou.

FC Barcelona is a professional multi-sports club [1] [2] based in Barcelona, formed in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Catalan, German and English footballers led by Joan Gamper. It has been part of the Spanish top-flight, La Liga, since the league's inception in 1928, winning it 27 times, along with a record 31 Copa del Rey and 5 UEFA Champions League victories.

Contents

The arrival of Ronaldinho in 2003, and Barcelona's subsequent success in La Liga and Champions League, has been seen as crucial to an increase in the national, and worldwide, fan-base of the club. This development of a larger national fan-base has created friction between the Catalan nationalist supporters, who wish to secede from Spain, and the club's other Spanish supporters.

There are four different type of supporters of Barcelona; one is the soci or club-member, who is eligible to vote in the presidential election of the club and other matters. The penyes, who are closely affiliated with the socis, are fan-clubs, which in the past have been responsible for large donations to the club. Also, there are Barça Fans and this term refers to the official online fan community of the club where these registered fans participate in games and other activities. Lastly there are the ordinary fans of the club, the culers, who do not possess any formal membership.

Culers

The nickname culer for a Barcelona supporter is derived from the Catalan cul (English: arse). Before 1909, Barcelona played in various stadiums, none of which were owned by the club. On 14 March 1909, the club moved to the Camp de la Indústria which had a capacity of 6,000 people, and it was the first ground owned by the club. Barcelona moved to Les Corts in 1922, which had an initial capacity of 20,000, which was later enlarged 3-fold to 60,000. The top-row of Les Corts was the origin of the nickname culer, derived from the Catalan cul (English: arse), as the spectators at the first stadium, Camp de la Indústria, sat with their culs over the stand. The English author, Phil Ball, notes that "all you could see was row upon row of bums". [3]

Socis

Ronaldinho has been credited for the global rise in supporters during his time at the club. Ronaldinho.jpg
Ronaldinho has been credited for the global rise in supporters during his time at the club.

In 1975, the death of Franco marked the beginning of Spain's transition into a democracy and four years later, Josep Lluís Núñez became the first elected president of FC Barcelona. Since then, the members of Barcelona, called socis, have elected a club president. [4] [5]

The club's membership figures have seen a significant increase from 100,000 in the 2003–04 season to 170,000 in September 2009, [6] the sharp rise being attributed to the influence of Ronaldinho and then-president Joan Laporta's media strategy that focused on Spanish and English online media. [7] [8] In the presidential election of 2010, the rise in club-members during the last seven years caused the campaign to focus on whether to allow votes from non-Catalan members, through internet or post. The balloting committee decided to only allow votes from members who registered at the home stadium on the day of the election. [9] As of 31 May 2023, the club has 150,317 memberships, called socis. [10]

Socis have existed since the early days of the club, with statutes in 1902 and 1911 saying that only men could be full members. The club still had female fans, among them Edelmira Calvetó, who wanted to become a soci; having been turned down several times, she persisted, being granted the membership number 86 on 1 January 1913. By the time of the next statutes in 1921, socis were described in gender neutral terms. [11] [12] [13] Barcelona was the first Spanish club to admit female members. [14]

Penyes

In the mid-1940s, the club invented the notion of penyes, a mix between a fan club and a financial support club, during a time when the club was in need of financial and public support in face of the hostility of General Francisco Franco's dictatorship. The first Penya Solera, was formed in 1944 by a group of supporters and former players of the team. [15] The penyes would later exhibit their financial prowess in 1953, when they proposed the building of the Camp Nou. Inspiration was drawn from the financial plan Athletic Bilbao, a rival team, used to build San Mamés stadium, where an association of penyes pledged to finance the construction. As a result, the subsequent construction of the stadium put the club into its supporters' hands, giving the penyes political influence over the club, which still lasts today. [16]

In the early 1980s, one of the most notorious penyes, the Boixos Nois (English: Crazy Boys) was founded. [17] The peña who identified with left-wing independentism, repeatedly demanded the resignation of president Núñez, openly defying his presidency through chants and banners at matches. At the same time, the city of Barcelona experienced a rise in the number of skinheads, who identified with right-wing separatism. The skinheads slowly moved the Boixos Nois' political ideology from liberalism to fascism, which caused fractions within the group. [18] Inspired by British hooligans, the remaining Boixos Nois became violent, which often lead to mass-scale arrests. [19]

According to the protest organisation L'Elephant Blau (English: The Blue Elephant), formed in part by later-president Joan Laporta in 1998, the former president Núñez promoted the emergence of skinheads among the Boixos and gave them permission to roam freely around the stadium, using them for his own political gain. [20] When Núñez resigned in 2000, his vice-president Joan Gaspart took over as president. Gaspart publicly expressed his sympathies for Boixos Nois, claiming that he would join the group as soon as he resigned as chairman. The comment caused the Boixos Nois members to occasionally be referred to as 'the chairman's boys'. [21]

Barcelona supporters FC Barcelona Supporters.JPG
Barcelona supporters

The same year saw the controversial transfer of the Barcelona vice-captain Luís Figo to arch-rivals Real Madrid. When Figo returned to the Camp Nou with his new club in November 2002, the Boixos responded to Figo's perceived treachery by whistling and jeering whenever he went near the ball. The abuse peaked when the Boixos threw a severed pig's head at him, while he was taking a corner. The match has since been known in Spain as the "Partido de la Vergüenza" (English: The Game of Shame). It was suspended for 13 minutes by the referee, who took the players off the pitch because of fears for their safety. It ended in a 0–0 draw. [22] [23] [24]

As of 2022 there are 1,264 officially registered fan clubs, called penyes, around the world. [25] The fan clubs promote Barcelona in their locality and receive beneficial offers when visiting Barcelona. [26]

FC Barcelona membership cards (1899-2000) Carnet soci Barca.JPG
FC Barcelona membership cards (1899–2000)

Fan base

In Spain, about 25% of the population is said to be Barça sympathisers, second behind Real Madrid, supported by 32% of the population. [27] Throughout Europe, Barcelona is the favourite second-choice club. [28] Among the best supported teams globally, Barcelona has the second highest social media following in the world among sports teams, with over 103 million Facebook fans as of December 2021, only behind Real Madrid with 111 million. [29] [30]

During the 1940s and 50s, Franco's oppression of Catalonia caused the relationship between the club and its supporters to change. For the supporters, FC Barcelona became synonymous with Catalonia, a feeling incorporated in the club's Més que un club motto (English: More than a club). The socio-political impulse Visca el Barça (Long live Barça), gradually evolved into Visca el Barça i visca Catalunya (Long live Barça and Catalonia) and was the same as a protest-song against the fascist government in Madrid. [31] Outside Catalonia, FC Barcelona has also been seen as being Més que un club (Más que un club) for many forward-thinking Spaniards. It was the left-wing intellectuals that become Barça supporters in recognition of its role in defending democratic rights and freedom. [32]

During the first decade of the new millennium, president Joan Laporta, a supporter of Catalan nationalism, repeatedly expressed his support of Catalonia's secession from Spain and characterised the club as the symbol for Catalan separatism. The politicization of the club drew criticism from several club members who accused Laporta of alienating Barcelona fans, both within and outside of Catalunya. [33] [34] By 2003 Barcelona had 1,200 penyes around the world, causing other Spanish clubs to copy the concept. With each individual peña (Castillian Spanish spelling) having different names and rules, it has become a custom in Spain to name a new peña after their favourite player or match, and in turn the player usually attends to the inaugural supper. [15]

Bed of a young FC Barcelona fan Krevet mladog navijaca FC Barcelone.jpg
Bed of a young FC Barcelona fan

The club has had many prominent people among its supporters, including Pope John Paul II, who was an honorary member, and former prime minister of Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero. [35] [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Barcelona</span> Association football club in Spain

Futbol Club Barcelona, commonly known as FC Barcelona and colloquially as Barça, is a professional football club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, that competes in La Liga, the top flight of Spanish football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joan Gamper</span> Spanish-Swiss football executive and athlete (1877–1930)

Hans Max Gamper-Haessig, commonly known as Joan Gamper, was a Swiss-born football executive and versatile athlete. He founded football clubs in Switzerland and Spain, most notably Barcelona and Zürich.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joan Laporta</span> Spanish politician and president of FC Barcelona

Joan Laporta i Estruch is a Catalan politician and current president of FC Barcelona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palau Blaugrana</span> Sporting arena in Barcelona

Palau Blaugrana is an arena in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, belonging to FC Barcelona. The 7,585 seating capacity arena is home to the basketball, handball, roller hockey, and futsal divisions of FC Barcelona. Palau Blaugrana is located in the same complex that houses the Camp Nou stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josep Lluís Núñez</span> Spanish football executive (1931–2018)

José Luis Núñez Clemente, often known by the Catalanized form of his name used by the Catalan press, Josep Lluís Núñez i Clemente, was president of Barcelona between 1978 and 2000. He was elected club president, despite having no previous connection with the club. His main objectives were to establish Barça as a world class sports club and to give the club financial stability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Barcelona Futsal</span> Futsal section of the FC Barcelona sports club

Futbol Club Barcelona is a professional futsal club based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is a part of the FC Barcelona sports club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Clásico</span> Name for FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF rivalry

El Clásico or El Clàssic, both meaning "The Classic", is the name given to any football match between rival clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid. Originally referring to competitions held in the Spanish championship, the term now includes every match between the clubs, such as those in the UEFA Champions League, Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey. It is considered one of sport's fiercest rivalries, and its matches have a global audience of hundreds of millions. A fixture known for its intensity, it has featured memorable goal celebrations from both teams, often involving mockery from both sides.

The Derbi Barceloní, is the name given to football matches between FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol. Both clubs are located in the Barcelona metropolitan area, Spain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of FC Barcelona</span> Brief history of Futbol Club Barcelona

The history of Futbol Club Barcelona begins from the football club's founding in 1899 up until the present day. FC Barcelona, also known simply as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. The club was founded in 1899 by a group of Swiss, Catalan, German, and English footballers led by Joan Gamper. The club played amateur football until 1910 in various regional competitions. In 1910, the club participated in their first of many European competitions, and has since amassed fourteen UEFA trophies and a sextuple. In 1928, Barcelona co-founded La Liga, the top-tier in Spanish football, along with a string of other clubs. As of 2023, Barcelona has never been relegated from La Liga, a record they share with Athletic Bilbao and arch-rival Real Madrid.

The 1901–02 season was the third season for FC Barcelona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FC Barcelona Femení</span> FC Barcelona womens football team

Futbol Club Barcelona Femení, commonly referred to as Barça Femení, is a Spanish professional women's football team based in Barcelona, Catalonia. It is the women's football section of FC Barcelona and competes in the Liga F, the top tier of Spanish women's football, playing home games at the Johan Cruyff Stadium in Sant Joan Despí, and occasionally at the Camp Nou or Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Futbol Club Barcelona Rugby Lliga are the rugby league extension of the FC Barcelona association football club's sporting family, based in Barcelona, Catalonia. They won the Catalonia's Cup in 2008 and now play in the Catalan Rugby League Championship, the premier rugby league tournament in Catalonia, after being admitted into the competition in 2010. The sports club's president is Joan Laporta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boixos Nois</span> Ultras supporter group of FC Barcelona

The Boixos Nois is an ultras supporter group organised around the La Liga football club FC Barcelona, based in Catalonia. Founded in 1981. However, during the 1980s the group's political position shifted. For many years, the Boixos Nois enjoyed a close relationship with FC Barcelona until president Joan Laporta banned their presence at games in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexia Putellas</span> Spanish footballer (born 1994)

Alèxia Putellas i Segura, Spanish: Alexia Putellas Segura; born 4 February 1994), often known mononymously as Alexia, is a Spanish professional footballer from Catalonia who plays as a midfielder or forward for Liga F club Barcelona, which she captains, and the Spain women's national team. She previously played for Espanyol and Levante, and has represented Catalonia. Having won all major club and individual awards available to a European player by 2022, she is widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers of all time.

The Athletic–Barcelona clásico refers to football matches between Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona, two clubs competing in Spanish football competitions.

Vicenç Martínez Alama was a Spanish footballer who played as a left back.

Alfonso Albéniz Jordana was a Spanish footballer and referee, as well as a renowned chemical engineer, lecturer and later a diplomat. He is best known for being the first-ever player to play for both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, which he achieved when he moved out from Catalonia to the capital for study purposes.

Barça TV+ is a Spanish subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming television service owned and operated by FC Barcelona. It primarily offers FC Barcelona original and exclusive content such as documentaries, full matches, players and staff interviews, and entertainment TV series. It is available in Catalan, Spanish and English languages.

Rafael Llopart Vidaud was a Spanish industrialist and sports leader of Cuban origin. He was the 13th president of football club FC Barcelona between 1915 and 1916.

Dolors Ortiz Castañer, better known as Lolita Ortiz, was a Catalan footballer and women's football pioneer in Catalonia. She played in Barcelona's first-ever match on 25 December 1970, and then served as the team captain for 10 years, from 1971 until her retirement in 1980.

References

Bibliography
  1. ↑ "FC BARCELONA STATUTES (23 October 2021)" (PDF). FC Barcelona. 23 October 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Laporta: 'Barça is the greatest multi-sports club in the world'". FC Barcelona. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  3. ↑ Ball, Phil. p. 111.{{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ↑ "History part IV". FC Barcelona. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2010.
  5. ↑ Ball, Phil p. 85
  6. ↑ Aznar, Víctor (19 September 2009). "El FC Barcelona ya tiene 170.000 socios". Sport (in Spanish). Madrid. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  7. ↑ Fisk, Peter. pp. 201–202.
  8. ↑ Brott, Steffen. p. 77.
  9. ↑ Sharma, Ashish (12 June 2010). "Spanish Inquisition: FC Barcelona Prepare for a New Future - Rosell, Ingla, Ferrer Or Benedito". Goal.com. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  10. ↑ "Xavi's son becomes FC Barcelona member". FC Barcelona. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "La pionera que va marcar el camí" [The pioneer who paved the way]. www.fcbarcelona.cat (in Spanish). Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  12. ↑ "Edelmira Calvetó, la primera socia del Barça" [Edelmira Calvetó, the first member of Barça]. www.lavanguardia.com (in Spanish). 23 January 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  13. ↑ "Cien años de la admisión de la primera socia del Barça Edelmira Calvetó" [One hundred years since the admission of Barça's first member Edelmira Calvetó]. www.fcbarcelona.cat (in Spanish). 5 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  14. ↑ "99 años de la mujer en el Sporting" [99 years of women in Sporting]. migijon.com (in Spanish). 23 September 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  15. 1 2 Ball, Phil. pp. 110-111
  16. ↑ Ball, Phil. p. 111-112
  17. ↑ Ball, Phil p.112
  18. ↑ Spaaij, Ramón p. 291-292
  19. ↑ Spaaij, Ramón p. 293
  20. ↑ King, Anthony p. 242
  21. ↑ Spaaij, Ramon p. 304
  22. ↑ Edworthy, Sarah (25 November 2002). "Running gauntlet of hate in Spain's gran clasico". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  23. ↑ Ball, Phil (24 November 2003). "The Year of the Pig". ESPN. Archived from the original on 8 May 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  24. ↑ Shields, Tom (6 December 2003). "Catalans steel themselves for the worst; Defeat tonight will cap a truly horrific seven days". The Herald. Archived from the original on 3 November 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2010.
  25. ↑ "Two new supporters' clubs join the Blaugrana family". FC Barcelona. 16 March 2022.
  26. ↑ "Penyes". FC Barcelona. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  27. ↑ "Ficha Técnica" (PDF) (in Spanish). Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas. May 2007. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  28. ↑ Chadwick, Simon; Arthur, Dave. pp. 4–5.
  29. ↑ "Barça, the most loved club in the world" Archived 14 November 2014 at the Wayback Machine . Marca. Madrid. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  30. ↑ "Top 100 Facebook Fan Pages" Archived 9 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine . Fanpagelist.com. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  31. ↑ Farred, Grant pp. 88-90
  32. ↑ FC Barcelona. "A historic slogan". FCBarcelona.com. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  33. ↑ Malek, Cyrus C. (1 July 2010). "Spanish Inquisition: What legacy does Laporta leave at Barcelona?". Goal.com. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
  34. ↑ Shobe, Hunter (2008). "Football and the politics of place: Football Club Barcelona and Catalonia, 1975-2005". Journal of Cultural Geography. 25 (1): 87–105. doi:10.1080/08873630701822661. S2CID   143046098.
  35. ↑ Goff, Steven (29 July 2003). "Barça Isn't Lounging Around; Storied Catalonian Club Plots Its Return to the Top". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  36. ↑ "Spain's football team welcomed by royals". The New Nation. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 11 July 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2010.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.