Italy

Abstract

Football has not always been Italy’s passion since its introduction in the late nineteenth century. The game was long overshadowed by cycling as the focus of Italian sporting predilection, at least until the late 1950s. However, after the downfall of fascism, it was the deliberate efforts of both Catholics and Communists, the two main post-war political movements, which turned football into a national sport. The “collateral” sports associations linked to each movement were heavily involved in managing the youth and amateur game, while the tifo (fan) culture at professional clubs became reformulated with a strongly political language. In parallel, Italy’s whole political class has over the years publicly exhibited its interest in and passion for football, which has become a fundamental instrument for consensus throughout Italian society.