Blickfang Ultra Nr. 27

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was that the Magana should be dominated by the colours green and white. We asked the people to wear these colours when they come into the stand. If you look around today, you might say that we have been successful. The multicoloured jersey blend decreased and now the Magana shines in green and white. But surely thirty members cannot change a complete stand. How did you prevail over the many groups and how did you differ from them? The 05/06 season was a turbulent time for the stand, because each group wanted to set the tone and recruit members. The Ultras Eagles grew steadily, we have added and integrated other groups that shared our understanding of Ultra and thus we established ourselves. This wasn’t always non violent and on the last day of the season it ended in a large punch-up in the Magana. Our group went out of this fight victorious. Since then our position is no longer called into question and we are accepted by everyone in the stand. The last part of the question we actually have already answered. We try to convey to people the reason why we are doing all this and we also want them to ask themselves the same question. We represent an answer which says: Because of loyalty for Raja. A loyalty that expresses itself through our acting as defenders of the club, its colours and its fans. Can you perhaps tell us more about how you have been influenced by the pictures from Europe? Did you copy certain things? Of course we were influenced by the pictures from Europe. Above all, those from the Italian stadiums, where we always have especially admired the banners and were trying to understand why they did this and that. Despite the linguistic vicinity, France didn’t fascinate us that much, quite in contrast to Germany, where we especially liked the big terraces. Particularly pictures of Schalke, Dortmund and Nuremberg did impress us. At this point we would like to stress something. One thing that we recognize as crucial and that we always pass on to our folks: you cannot import mentality! Undoubtedly, the pictures inspire and give new ideas, but we really want people to understand the meaning behind it all. Our mentality comes from the people. If it wouldn’t, we would not be more than a copy. We are the voice of the Raja fans, the representative body of the people, so to speak. If you want to be a part of that voice, then it’s necessary to live for Raja. That is what we demand from our active members. This also means that as Ultras we are warriors, too. For us, to be a warrior doesn’t mean searching for 88 - 116 // Blickfang Ultrà - Das Magazin
trouble constantly. Primarily, a warrior defends his community. We aren’t criminals. From what we hear from Eastern Europe, it sometimes seems to us as if it‘s all about drugs and dead bodies. In our group, drug addicts leave sooner or later. As far as possible, we try to avoid violence. Sometimes it‘s just inevitable and if it comes to contact with a hated group, it happens. Same goes for the police. For a long time, the police was highly respected. Often, we are completely at their mercy and are threatened by severe punishment – even if you only are accused by a police officer without having done anything. Although the fearful respect for the police is slowly dwindling, the attitude towards the police is still different from what we hear from Europe. We remind ourselves again and again that we all still are Moroccans and Muslims. As long as the police doesn‘t provoke, we have no reason to look for trouble. But if they act towards us with disrespect, then it can also happen that we answer with violence. In most European countries, Ultras are considered as the evil of football and in Germany it can even be called a success the media now makes a difference between Ultras and hooligans. What does it look like in Morocco? Especially considering the Derby transmissions, we notice that much is reported on the choreographies and their making of. The positive aspects are presented willingly, the media take interest in us and thus the groups get some positive attention. As you correctly noted, this is particularly true for our choreographies. On the day of a Derby the television is always looking for interviewees of both sides and wants to learn about the preparations. At the same time we are also in the focus with all the negative reports. If anything happens, we automatically are guilty. The media condemn us without seeking information. This is one of the reasons for the increase of repression. For example, last summer a law was passed that allows detainees to be locked away faster and for a longer time. If you know the right people or your parents have money, then this isn’t a big problem and you are out again quickly. Unfortunately, this applies to very few football fans here in Morocco. But we also have to say that within the last few years, the Ultra scene has changed. It has become popular and draws large crowds. Therefore, the ongoings around the stadiums are more difficult to control for the groups. If we go on an away game to another city, it’s quite normal that they throw stones at us. In front of the stadiums, sometimes adventurous hunting scenes take place with unfortunately already fatal accidents. One of them happened only recently. Before the game FAR Rabat against Wydad in September, fans of both teams were throwing stones at each other. The stadium lies right next to a highway. A Wydad fan tried to flee from the hailing stones and ran onto the road. There, he has been hit by a car and was killed. However, the media doesn‘t report about the Ultras‘ efforts trying to stop the most extreme developments. For example, last summer, the Fatal Tiger of MAS (Maghreb de Fes) have published a communiqué saying that they welcome all guests in town and that they ask the MAS fans to behave respectfully towards the guests. Of course only if the guests behave respectfully in Fes. Meanwhile, several groups have followed. There have also been taken steps against the criminality in the stands. Earlier, pick pocketing had been quite normal in the Magana and many children took advantage of the crowd in order to earn some money. Meanwhile, the groups are so respected, that they dare less to do so and if it still happens, an appropriate reaction follows. Unfortunately, the problem will rather not be solved for the complete stand. Okay, let‘s get back again to your group and to Casablanca. You talk of approximately 1.000 members for the Ultras Eagles. That sounds very powerful and hardly to imagine since the group came to existence in 2006. How is this possible and how do you control this large number? Is there a strong competition towards the city rival? The number is correct and increases year by year, as more and more people are coming and with each start of the season we give everyone the opportunity to become a group member for this season. The membership fee per season is about 15 euros and it’s // 89
Page 2 and 3: Text: Georg Maier & Philipp Natzke
Page 4 and 5: There is, for example, the rhythm o
Page 6 and 7: a n exuberant passion for their clu
Page 8 and 9: Interview with Ultras Eagles by Raj
Page 12 and 13: used solely for choreographies and
Page 14 and 15: about our group. The songs have to
Page 16 and 17: Auswärtsfahrt auf marokkanisch Unt
Page 18 and 19: the southern city Lagouira. This wa

Blickfang Ultra Nr. 27

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