Capos, 'soft hooligans' and a lot of noise - the rise of away fans in women's football
Saturday, 26 July 2025 at 7:16 pm
The recent spectacle of the Euros in Switzerland has captivated audiences not just with scintillating football, but with a vibrant, often boisterous, new dimension: the burgeoning presence of away fans. Gone are the days when women's matches were characterized solely by polite applause and scattered support. Today, stadiums across Europe are echoing with organized chants, rhythmic drums, and the visual feast of banners and flags, all orchestrated by dedicated travelling supporters who are rapidly transforming the matchday experience. This burgeoning culture, often led by figures affectionately known as "Capos" – the vocal leaders of fan groups – brings an intensity and passion previously more synonymous with the men's game, yet with a distinct, often more inclusive, energy.
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These new battalions of "soft hooligans" as they've been playfully dubbedare far from the negative connotations their moniker might imply. Insteadthey represent a highly organizeddeeply passionateand overwhelmingly positive force. They travel hundredssometimes thousandsof milesinvesting time and money to follow their teams. Their impact is immediate and palpable: entire sections of stadiums are transformed into seas of national colorstheir coordinated songs and choreographed displays creating an electrifying atmosphere that lifts players and entertains neutrals. From the pre-match build-up outside the ground to the final whistletheir relentless energy provides a continuous soundtrackproving that the passion for the beautiful game transcends gender
Source: theathleticuk