Fossa dei Leoni
Encyclopedia
The Fossa dei Leoni, also referred to by the acronym FdL, was an association of ultras
supporters of Italian
professional football club Associazione Calcio Milan
. Established in 1968, it was the first ultras group to form in Italy.
stadium, in Milan
, wearing the uniform of A.C. Milan
and taking to the stadium
flags and confetti
. The name was chosen due to the nickname of old A.C. Milan's stadium.
In 1972 they moved from ramp 18 to the middle sector of the stadium. In the same year was created the hymn, inspirated to the Italian movie "L'armata Brancaleone
". In that period many Italian ultras
groups going identifying themselves in different political ideas and the Fossa identified itself on to left wing
, taking always at the stadiums a big banner with a picture of Che Guevara
. Due to some order problems with Italian police
, from 1975 to 1977 it changed its name in "Inferno Rossonero" (Red-Black Hell).
In the years the Fossa became a model for lot of Italian ultras groups and in 1982 it was cited in the Italian movie "Eccezzziunale... veramente
". In that movie the starring, Diego Abatantuono
, played the role of the group's leader, named "Donato, the ras of the Fossa".
-Juventus
of 29 October 2005. During an internal conflict between Milan's supporters the Fossa dei Leoni was accused to collaborate with DIGOS
(unacceptable for ultras ideals) to obtain the restitution of the banners and some members of it was threated and attacked. At the end of that conflict the leaders of the group decided to close the experience dissolving it .
Other reasons of this conflict are to search in the relationships of the group with two other historical ultras groups of A.C. Milan, Brigate Rossonere and Commandos Tigre, due to its political differences and to a struggle for leadership between Milan's supporters . After various hypothesis to recreate the group, one month later (31 December 2005), it was founded the group "Guerrieri Ultras Curva Sud Milano" composed by lot of former members of the Fossa dei Leoni.
" (1966), has got these words:
"Leoni armati stiam marciando siam la Fossa dei Leon...dei leon.. leon.. leon... leon... leon... siam la Fossa dei Leon! Sangue! Violenza! Fossa dei Leoni!"
Rivalries and friendships of Fossa dei Leoni with other groups are the same of the entire sector of A.C. Milan's supporters.
The principal and the oldest rivalry is against supporters of Inter
, the other football club in the city of Milan
. Other main rivalries are against supporters of Roma
(twinned since early 1980s), S.S.C. Napoli
(twinned since early 1980s), Juventus
, Lazio
, Genoa
, Verona
, Atalanta
, Fiorentina
, Sampdoria
and Cagliari
.
Friendship relations of the group are with few supporters groups. The only twinnage is with the ultras of Brescia
.
Ultras
Ultras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams...
supporters of Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
professional football club Associazione Calcio Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
. Established in 1968, it was the first ultras group to form in Italy.
Early history
The association was born originally as a group when a group of young supporters started to meet on ramp 18 of popular sectors of San SiroSan Siro
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, originally and commonly referred to as the San Siro because of its location, officially given its current name on 3 March 1980, is a football stadium located in the San Siro district in Milan, Italy. It is the home of both A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano...
stadium, in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, wearing the uniform of A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
and taking to the stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
flags and confetti
Confetti
Confetti is a multitude of pieces of paper, mylar or metallic material which is usually thrown at parades and celebrations, especially weddings . Confetti is made in a variety of colors, and commercially available confetti is available in imaginative shapes...
. The name was chosen due to the nickname of old A.C. Milan's stadium.
In 1972 they moved from ramp 18 to the middle sector of the stadium. In the same year was created the hymn, inspirated to the Italian movie "L'armata Brancaleone
L'armata Brancaleone
L'armata Brancaleone is an Italian comedy movie released in 1966, written by the famous duo Age & Scarpelli and directed by Mario Monicelli. It features Vittorio Gassman in the main role...
". In that period many Italian ultras
Ultras
Ultras are a type of sports fans renowned for their fanatical support and elaborate displays. They are predominantly European followers of football teams...
groups going identifying themselves in different political ideas and the Fossa identified itself on to left wing
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
, taking always at the stadiums a big banner with a picture of Che Guevara
Che Guevara
Ernesto "Che" Guevara , commonly known as el Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist...
. Due to some order problems with Italian police
Polizia di Stato
The Polizia di Stato is one of the national police forces of Italy.It is the main police force for providing police duties and it is also responsible for patrolling motorways , railways , airports , customs as well as certain waterways, and assisting the local police...
, from 1975 to 1977 it changed its name in "Inferno Rossonero" (Red-Black Hell).
In the years the Fossa became a model for lot of Italian ultras groups and in 1982 it was cited in the Italian movie "Eccezzziunale... veramente
Eccezzziunale... veramente
Eccezzziunale... veramente is a 1982 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Vanzina. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival.-Cast:...
". In that movie the starring, Diego Abatantuono
Diego Abatantuono
Diego Abatantuono is an Italian cinema and theatre actor, as well screenwriter.-Biography and career:Abatantuono was born in a popular quarter of the city to a father of Pugliese origin and a mother from Como...
, played the role of the group's leader, named "Donato, the ras of the Fossa".
Recent history
The association, after 38 years of activity, was officially dissolved in the date of 17 November 2005 by its members due to some polemics about two robbed banners after the match MilanA.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
-Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
of 29 October 2005. During an internal conflict between Milan's supporters the Fossa dei Leoni was accused to collaborate with DIGOS
DIGOS
The General Investigations and Special Operations Division , mainly known with its acronym DIGOS, is an Italian law enforcement agency, charged with investigating sensitive cases relating to terrorism, organized crime and serious offences such as kidnapping and extortion.It is a special operative...
(unacceptable for ultras ideals) to obtain the restitution of the banners and some members of it was threated and attacked. At the end of that conflict the leaders of the group decided to close the experience dissolving it .
Other reasons of this conflict are to search in the relationships of the group with two other historical ultras groups of A.C. Milan, Brigate Rossonere and Commandos Tigre, due to its political differences and to a struggle for leadership between Milan's supporters . After various hypothesis to recreate the group, one month later (31 December 2005), it was founded the group "Guerrieri Ultras Curva Sud Milano" composed by lot of former members of the Fossa dei Leoni.
Hymn
The hymn of the Fossa, based on to the musical theme of Italian movie "L'armata BrancaleoneL'armata Brancaleone
L'armata Brancaleone is an Italian comedy movie released in 1966, written by the famous duo Age & Scarpelli and directed by Mario Monicelli. It features Vittorio Gassman in the main role...
" (1966), has got these words:
"Leoni armati stiam marciando siam la Fossa dei Leon...dei leon.. leon.. leon... leon... leon... siam la Fossa dei Leon! Sangue! Violenza! Fossa dei Leoni!"
Rivalries and friendships
The principal and the oldest rivalry is against supporters of Inter
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
, the other football club in the city of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
. Other main rivalries are against supporters of Roma
A.S. Roma
Associazione Sportiva Roma, commonly referred to as simply Roma, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. Founded by a merger in 1927, Roma have participated in the top-tier of Italian football for all of their existence but one season in the early 50s...
(twinned since early 1980s), S.S.C. Napoli
S.S.C. Napoli
Società Sportiva Calcio Napoli, commonly referred to as Napoli, is a professional Italian football club based in Naples and founded in 1926. The club has spent most of its history in Serie A, where it currently plays its 2011–12 season....
(twinned since early 1980s), Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
, Lazio
S.S. Lazio
Società Sportiva Lazio, commonly referred to as Lazio, is a professional Italian football club based in Rome. The team, founded in 1900, play in the Serie A and have spent most of their history in the top tier of Italian football...
, Genoa
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
, Verona
Hellas Verona F.C.
Hellas Verona Football Club is a professional Italian association football team, based in Verona, Veneto. The team's colours are yellow and blue and gialloblu is the team's most widely used nickname...
, Atalanta
Atalanta B.C.
Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, commonly known as just Atalanta, Atalanta Bergamo or the abbreviation Atalanta BC, is an Italian football club based in Bergamo, Lombardy.They are nicknamed the Nerazzurri and the orobici...
, Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
, Sampdoria
U.C. Sampdoria
Unione Calcio Sampdoria is an Italian association football club based in Genoa. The club was formed in 1946 from the merger of two existing sports clubs whose roots can be traced back to the 1890s, Sampierdarenese and Andrea Doria...
and Cagliari
Cagliari Calcio
Cagliari Calcio is an Italian football club based in Cagliari, Sardinia. The club was formed in 1920 and currently plays in Italian Serie A, having spent a large part of recent years mainly in Serie A and Serie B....
.
Friendship relations of the group are with few supporters groups. The only twinnage is with the ultras of Brescia
Brescia Calcio
Brescia Calcio , known simply as Brescia, is the largest football club in the Lombard city of Brescia, where it was founded in 1911.In the 2009–10 season, in the return leg of the Serie B playoff final, they defeated Torino 2-1 at home , returning to Serie A after a 5-year absence...
.