Ultra Culture
A documentary about Italy’s ultras
For my final postgraduate project I was given the task of producing a 30-minute radio documentary. Shocked by the stabbings of Mancheter United fans in Rome and the killing of Italian police officer, Filippo Raciti, in February by the “Ultras”, I decided to investigate this unique set of football fans.
What followed was months of research and trips to Italy and Manchester to gain interviews with, amongst others:
Steven Fitzsimons: A Manchester United fan who was almost stabbed to death in Rome by an ultra.
Ultras: I spoke to ultras from Lazio and Livorno, two teams with sections of fans who indulge in political extremism.
Giancarlo Abete: The head of the Italian FA.
Paddy Agnew: A respected Irish journalist who has been reporting on football from Italy for over 20 years. His brilliant book, Forza Italia has a chapter on the Italian fan culture.
John Foot: A UCL lecturer who has authored the magnificent English-language history of Italian football, Calcio.
I hope you enjoy the documentary, I certainly had a fascinating time making it. What I aimed to do was to clarify what an ultra is and what they stand for. As you will find out they form an integral part of Italian football culture and have been misunderstood by some elements of the British press. All feedback is most welcome.
All material © Neil Barker and ©BBC