Beyond the game

Hooliganism is a global phenomenon. In Italy, even in the lower leagues, almost every team has its own supporters, who devote themselves to the hooligans' "lifestyle." Being an Ultras (the Italian word for hooligans), indeed, means much more than going to the stadium and cheer for the team; it means belonging to a group of people, where individual members abandon their ego in favor of a collective ideal, the so called "ultras mentality." It’s a self-actualization process that allows the individual to feel part of something bigger than himself.

In a small city in Northern Italy, some young boys have chosen the GSA (Gradinata Sud Albenga) as their tribe; a life training ground where they can support their team while at the same time they can vent their anger and channel their frustration towards a society that they dislike and that does not represent them.

Andrea Alai

Andrea Alai is an Italian documentary photographer focusing on social issues and sport reportage. He is mainly working on long-term projects in Europe and South America. In 2018 he received the first prize in the sport series at the Andrei Stenin International Photo Contest and was finalist in the Lodi World Report Award.