You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Spanish. (May 2024) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
View a machine-translated version of the Spanish article.
Machine translation, like DeepL or Google Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia.
Consider adding a topic to this template: there are already 1,134 articles in the main category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization.
Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article.
You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing Spanish Wikipedia article at [[:es:Hinchada del Racing Club]]; see its history for attribution.
You may also add the template {{Translated|es|Hinchada del Racing Club}} to the talk page.
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)
.jpg)
