ABSTRACT
International football support has been interpreted has having three modes of development: the British (English) model, the Italian model and the South American modeP The British model is more individualistic in style and still very few women are part of it. The Italian model will be discussed at length in this study, but we can say initially that the term and culture of the ultras has travelled beyond Italian national boundaries and to other Mediterranean countries (France, Spain, Portugal and some countries of eastern Europe), in the same way as the English model has been adopted by Scandinavian countries, Holland and, anomalously, Greece. The only exception is Denmark with the Roligans, a peaceful type of football supporter and a play on the word 'hooligan'.3 The third, the South American model, also called 'bailado', is the most lively and cheerful support in the world and includes many women in their ranks; many of their spectacular 'choreographies' have also been introduced into the culture of the Italian ultras.4
