#9 Barcelona (Boixos Nois)
Though the club has become synonymous with class over the last few decades, there is nothing classy about their Ultras Boixos Nois, which literally translates into “The Crazy Boys”. Believed to be politically aligned with Far-right Catalan separatism, the group was founded in 1981 and even enjoyed a special relationship with the club, until former president Joan Laporta decided to ban them from the stadium in 2003.
Vocal in their support of violence, the Ultra group was involved in a horrible display of their intentions when they unruffled a banner at the Camp Nou hailing Liverpool post the Heysel disaster. In 1991, one of the members of the Ultras group was sentenced to 26 years in prison for murdering a fan of cross-town rivals Espanyol creating fear amongst football fans across the nation.
Although they later agreed to behave inside the stadium, the club could not hold them responsible for any acts outside the Camp Nou and the Boixos Nois did not hesitate from creating trouble.
They were in the news for the wrong reasons in 2002, when former player Luis Figo returned to the club, albeit with a different club and the Ultras made sure their feelings were known by throwing the head of a pig at Figo.
The group does have its elements of racist troubles and was vehemently opposed to the idea of Laporta taking over as the president of the club in 2003 since he was a Jew. Post their ban by Laporta, the Ultras issued death threats to the president and even attacked him near his home.
Though they remain banned from the stadium, the Ultras have not entirely been contained and it remains to be seen how the legendary club will hold on to its reputation despite the presence of such a disruptive force.
