Tifo

Tifo is the word used to describe a colourful, vibrant and usually choreographed visual display by football supporters. It is also a phenomenon in other sports, such as cycling and auto racing.

Displays of a tifo normally occur within stadiums before and during games but can also take place outside a ground. In many cases the visual displays are carefully planned and often each individual supporter forms part of a mosaic by wearing or holding a particular colour.

The word tifo is Italian and it actually refers to the typhus fever, which can cause an outbreak of delirium in those who suffer it. Supporters who form a tifo are known as tifosi, which is the Italian word for ‘those infected with typhus’. Naturally, it is not to be taken literally. The choice of word in Italian is deliberate as football supporters are often depicted as being in a delighted frenzy when their team scores a goal or wins.