La Guardia Imperial Explained

La Guardia Imperial
Abbreviation:LGI
Founded:1958
Type:Supporters' group
Location:Avellaneda, Greater Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arena:Estadio Presidente Juan Domingo Perón
Stand:South (at home)
Team:Racing Club de Avellaneda

La Guardia Imperial is an Argentine football barra brava group associated with Racing Club de Avellaneda.[1]

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

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

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]

During Racing's time in the second division, their hooligans formed an alliance with Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, united by their mutual dislike for Estudiantes La Plata.[28] [29]

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

Despite their turbulent reputation, Racing Club's hooligan faction proudly showcases two of the biggest flags ever seen in a football stadium. The first made its debut during the 1997 Copa Libertadores match against River Plate.[41] [42] The second was unveiled during a 2010 game against All Boys in the Argentine First Division.[43]

In popular culture

There's a tango called A la Guardia Imperial, composed by José Colángelo, as a tribute to the renowned group of Racing Club supporters.[44]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: La Guardia Imperial - Racing Club . 2024-04-16 . barrabrava.net.
  2. Web site: 2023-07-09 . 1997-06-03 . es . Estarían identificados los asesinos del hincha . LA NACION.
  3. News: 18 July 2023 . . 945 . La Razón . La Guardia Imperial .
  4. 18 July 2023 . 1945 . Revista Racing . Nuestra Bandera Recibió el Bautismo de la "Hora 0" .
  5. Web site: 2023-11-11 . El día que la UCR denunció a cuatro presidentes de Racing y a uno de sus fundadores . www.elnacionalnoticias.com.ar.
  6. Web site: 2017-08-10 . Oscar . es . Barnade . ¿Cómo nació el apodo de los cinco grandes del fútbol argentino? . Clarín. 10 August 2017 .
  7. 18 July 2023 . 17 May 1981 . Revista Racing . Una semana histórica .
  8. Web site: 2023-03-07 . A 23 años del día que los hinchas de Racing impidieron el remate de la sede de Villa del Parque . www.tycsports.com.
  9. Web site: 2024-03-09 . 2019-04-29 . es-ES . Los cinco partidos con más público en la historia del fútbol argentino . 90min.com.
  10. Web site: 2023-06-07 . 2023-03-08 . es-AR . Día del hincha de Racing: la muestra de amor de la gente que salvó al club - TyC Sports . www.tycsports.com.
  11. http://old.ole.com.ar/diario/2001/12/28/index.html Llenó dos canchas
  12. Web site: 2024-04-12 . 2005-04-10 . es-ES . Detuvieron a un cabecilla de la hinchada de Racing . infobae.
  13. Web site: 2024-02-06 . 2007-03-26 . es-ES . La gente empezó a decirles no a los violentos . infobae.
  14. Web site: 2011-12-17 . Diario Deportivo . es-AR . Olé . Guardia con ésta . Olé. 17 December 2011 .
  15. Web site: 2024-02-09 . 2006-10-13 . es . La Guardia Imperial: con Kirchner a todos lados . Perfil.
  16. Web site: 2008-05-03 . Página/12 :: Deportes :: Aprietes en barra . www.pagina12.com.ar.
  17. Web site: 2024-04-01 . 2016-10-02 . Redacción . es . Clarín . Feroz balacera entre barras de Racing: un herido . Clarín.
  18. Web site: 2023-11-11 . 2021-08-24 . Redacción . es . Clarín . Los Pibes de Racing, la facción que ganó la guerra interna de la barra y se aseguró un botín millonario por partido . Clarín.
  19. Web site: 2023-05-04 . 2022-04-24 . "Si no entramos, hay balas para todos": qué pasa en la barra de Racing, en alerta máxima - TyC Sports . www.tycsports.com.
  20. Web site: 2023-01-24 . Redacción . es-AR . IR . Avellaneda: Detuvieron a cinco barras de Racing fuertemente armados . InfoRegión. 24 January 2023 .
  21. Web site: 2023-03-07 . 2022-04-27 . es-AR . El primer muerto por barras en el fútbol argentino: tenía 15 años y lo asesinaron a sangre fría - TyC Sports . www.tycsports.com.
  22. Web site: 2024-02-20 . 3 August 2015 . Publicadas por Pablo . Sardi . Escribir, escribir, escribir... .
  23. Book: Grabia, Gustavo . 2015 . Sudamericana . La Doce.
  24. Web site: 28 January 2016 . 1 February 2000 . Buenos Aires . Una historia teñida de muerte . La Nación.
  25. Web site: 28 January 2016 . 16 June 2015 . Brasil . Bombonera: estádio de alegria e horror já foi palco da morte de torcedor do Racing pela 'La Doce' . O Globo.
  26. Web site: 2024-02-14 . 2023-12-18 . Por Matías . es-ES . Bauso . A 40 años del descenso de Racing: crónica en primera persona de un año futbolístico trágico . infobae.
  27. Web site: bohemiovlp . 20 July 2012. Muore lo storico leader de La Guardia Imperial del Racing; "CACHO" de Ciudadela R.I.P . 2012-07-20 . VAMO' LO' PIBE'! . it-IT.
  28. Web site: 2024-02-19 . 2023-07-20 . es . En el Día del Amigo, cuatro hinchadas que hicieron amistades en el fútbol argentino Deportes . Vía País.
  29. Web site: 2024-02-19 . 2021-03-04 . es-AR . La revancha de Racing: De "dejar de existir" a otra final . www.infocielo.com.
  30. Web site: 2023-11-18 . 2000-02-01 . Redacción . es . Clarín . Siete asesinatos que nunca se resolvieron . Clarín.
  31. Racing vs Boca Jrs. Campeonato 1988-1989. Suspensión del partido por graves incidentes. La noticia. . en . 2024-04-16 . www.youtube.com.
  32. Web site: 2024-02-16 . 2015-05-21 . Redacción . es . Clarín . Cuando Boca ganó un partido en los escritorios . Clarín.
  33. Web site: 2023-07-21 . Amílcar Romero . 1999 . LA MUERTE, ¿UN GOL EN CONTRA? . www.efdeportes.com.
  34. Web site: 2024-04-01 . 2014-12-26 . es-PA . Quién era el "Gallego Popey", el ex barra que murió en una interna . Tiempo de San Juan.
  35. Web site: Clarín . Redacción . 1997-10-08 . Barrabrava preso por el asesinato de otro hincha . Clarín . es.
  36. Web site: 2023-11-09 . 1999-03-17 . Redacción . es . Clarín . Lo juzgan por un crimen pero dice que él no mató a nadie . Clarín.
  37. Web site: Clarín . Redacción . 2002-02-19 . Nadie se hace cargo de la muerte y hoy vuelve a haber fútbol en Racing . Clarín . es.
  38. News: 18 February 2002 . Americas |Football fan killed in Argentina . 24 March 2010 . BBC News.
  39. Web site: Andmundo article . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110707084401/http://www.adnmundo.com/contenidos/deportes/futbol_argentino_clasico_avellaneda_incidentes_triunfo_independi.html . July 7, 2011 . October 17, 2007 . mdy-all.
  40. Web site: 2024-04-02 . 2007-11-23 . es-ES . Un clásico con demasiada custodia policial . infobae.
  41. Web site: 2023-04-23 . 2023-09-18 . es-AR . El día que Racing presentó la "bandera más grande del mundo" - TyC Sports . www.tycsports.com.
  42. Web site: 2023-07-18 . 2021-11-21 . La impresionante bandera de Racing que volvió a utilizarse después de 18 años - TyC Sports . www.tycsports.com.
  43. Web site: 2024-02-11 . es . Canal 26 . Monstruoso: Racing estrenó la bandera más grande del mundo . Canal26.
  44. Web site: A la Guardia Imperial. Tango . 2024-04-16 . www.todotango.com.

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