Napoli fans are unmistakable for their passionate love of football and emotional connection to legendary players. Diego Maradona’s giant mural, located in Naples’ Quarteri Spagnoli, is symbolic of the importance of football to the city’s identity.
Football is like a religion to the Napoletani, as shown by the fact that other murals depict Maradona as the city’s patron saint, San Gennaro. However, the history of the various Napoli ultras is usually complicated, especially where they sit inside Stadio Diego Armando.
While Napoli's plan for a new stadium remains a viable project, find out why Curva B and Curva A, the most vocal sections of Stadio Diego Armando, are important in this guide to Napoli ultras.
Napoli ultras – A complete guide
The Origins of the Napoli Ultras – Commandos Ultras Curva B (CUCB)
Commandos Ultras Curva B (CUCB) established itself as the prominent Napoli Ultras group after being founded in 1972 by Gennaro “Palummella” Montourri.
The group were responsible for creating the first matchday tifos inside the Napoli stadium and producing their own newspaper called “Ultrazzurro,” as well as a television programme named “Un’ora in Curva B.”
In the 1980s, the CUCB revealed a banner that said: “Violence divides us, our passion unites us.” As a result, Curva B has gained a reputation for being less violent than the groups located in Curva A.
The CUCB brought some of the key organisational aspects of Ultras groups that still exist today. New groups were formed in the 1980s on the back of CUCB’s success, including the women’s Ultras groups such as Ultra Girls and Ladies Napoli.
However, in 2002, the CUCB disbanded after the retirement of Palummella.
Fedayn and Ultras Napoli – Curva B
dir=”ltr”>Napoli ultras get their banners in place, 1980s#sscnapoli #seriea #ultras pic.twitter.com/zKDUWloS1O
— Calcio England (@CalcioEngland) October 21, 2024
After the CUCB disbanded, Fedayn and Ultras Napoli became the main groups of the Curva B. These two groups have had an indifferent relationship with each other ever since, often refusing to chant together.
Fedayn, whose slogan is “Estranei alla Massa” (Outside the Norm), were offered to become a part of Curva A due to their eccentricity, but they have remained in Curva B.
The history of Curva A
Typically, Curva A is perceived as more violent compared to Curva B. However, the Curva A sector of the Napoli Ultras has had an equally tumultuous history of leadership.
In 1981, the Blue Lions were formed, which quickly led to the creation of groups such as the Mastiffs, a merger group located in Curva A with the Teste Matte and Carolina Brigade.
However, in 1992, the Vecchi Lions were founded after disputes between the Blue Lions and other groups in the upper section of Curva A.
Nowadays, the Carolina Brigade, Mastiffs, and Vecchi Lions are still the main factions of Curva A in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, alongside newer groups such as the Spirito Libero.
Regional discrimination aimed at Napoli fans
The Napoli Ultras describe themselves as apolitical; however, in the past, they have responded to the regional abuse aimed in their direction. Most commonly, Napoli fans are subject to chants describing them as a city of people carrying cholera.
In response to these sinister taunts aimed at southern-based Italian teams such as Napoli, the Italian authorities imposed a stadium ban on supporters of northern-based teams, including AC Milan, due to regional discrimination in the 2013/14 Serie A campaign.
The Napoli Ultras in Curva B responded ironically to these stadium bans with a banner in the same season that said: “We are Naples’ cholera-sufferers. Now close our curva!”
Violence
Instances of violence have damaged the reputation of the Napoli Ultras in the past. An example of this was on May 3, 2014. Before the Coppa Italia final against Fiorentina, there was significant violence, resulting in the delay of the kick-off.
The violence led to three Napoli fans being hospitalised, including Ciro Esposito, who died of gunshot wounds after a few weeks in intensive care.
It was later discovered that the Napoli Ultras had been fighting with Roma fans, whose team was not even in the final. A Roma ultra, Daniele De Santis, was charged with being responsible for the death of Esposito.
Five Napoli fans were arrested in September 2014 due to their role in the violence. This included the infamous Napoli ultra, Gennaro De Tommaso, who was pictured by the police leading over 100 Napoli fans into the area where the fatal incident occurred.
Racism
While Italian football still has a serious issue with racism, Napoli ultras have taken an unyielding anti-racism stance in recent years, which authorities will be hoping can spread across Serie A.
Earlier this year, there was outrage when Inter Milan was alleged to have racially abused Napoli defender, Juan Jesus.
The decision was met with fury by both Napoli officials and the club's supporters, which prompted the ultras to unfurl a banner that read “Hypocritical system… Acerbi is your emblem!”
The club were quick to back their fans in this instance, too. At the time, Napoli released the following statement:
“Napoli will no longer take part in anti-racism and anti-discrimination initiatives run by football institutions that are merely symbolic, but we will continue to organise them ourselves, as we have always done, with renewed conviction and determination.”
A notorious fan base
Yaya Toure once described the relationship between Napoli Ultras and fans as “like the one between a mother and a son!”. Napoli Ultras are certainly unique and one of the most notorious fan bases in the world, taking their passion for their team from the Curvas into the streets.
Napoli Ultras voice frustration at the end of the 2023/24 season
After winning the Serie A title for the first time since 1990 in the 2022/23 season, Napoli endured a frustrating 2023/24 campaign. They finished the season in tenth, two places outside the European places, making them the worst Serie A champions in the last 60 years.
To say the fall from grace didn't go down well with the Ultras would be an understatement.
During the last game of the season against Lecce, the Ultras inside their home stadium voiced their frustration at the president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, and the underperforming players. Fifteen minutes into the game, the Curva A Ultras sang:
“Only the shirt, we only love the shirt”, as well as a banner that read, “The only thing that is saved from this failed season is the shirt… Those who have not fought for it should go elsewhere.”
Chants in opposition to De Laurentiis then followed, including one that went as follows, “De Laurentiis, can you hear this voice. We deserve more.”
Curva B were also loud in their chants against the team and the club officials following a disastrous campaign. They unveiled a banner that said: “There was a title to honour, but you ‘played' without fighting. From triumph to defeat, we are grateful, but you will barely be remembered.”
Scott McTominay praises the passion of Napoli ultras
Antonio Conte was appointed as the Napoli head coach in June 2024. So far, the Italian manager has started the season, sitting top of Serie A after eight matches. One of the players who has impressed under the new head coach is former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.
Speaking to the club's official YouTube channel after signing for the club, the Scotsman said: “When I found out that Napoli were interested, it lit the fire inside me right away to come here and push as much as I can.
“The fans are insane, I would say some of the best fans I have ever seen or experienced. Incredible, I can’t speak highly enough of the fans and the people here.”
