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{{expand Turkish|topic=|otherarticle=ultrAslan|date=July 2016}}
{| style="margin:5px; border:1px solid #8888AA;" align=right cellpadding=3 cellspacing=3 width=280
{{Infobox Criminal organization|
|- align="center" bgcolor="#CC3300"
|colspan=2| <fontname color=yellow>''' ultrAslan'''
| image =
|- align="center"
| image_size =
|colspan=2|
| caption =
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| founding location = [[Mecidiyeköy]]
|| '''Founded''' || 2001
| founded by = Alparslan Dikmen (1965-2008)
|- align="center"
| years active = 2001-
|| '''Club''' || [[Galatasaray S.K.|Galatasaray]]
| territory = Western [[Istanbul]]
|- align="center"
| ethnic makeup = Predominantly [[Turkish people|Turkish]]
|| '''Chief coordinator''' || Oğuz Altay
| membership est = 100.000
|- align="center" bgcolor="#eeeeee"
| criminal activities = [[Football hooligans|Football hooliganism]], [[fighting]], [[Warez]]
|| '''Nicknames''' || uA
| rivals = [[Çarşı (supporter group)|çArşı]], [[Genç Fenerbahçeliler|GFB]]
|- align="center"
|}}▼
|| '''Website''' || [http://www.ultraslan.com www.ultraslan.com] ▼
▲|}
 
'''ultrAslan''' is a football firm associated with [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray S.K.]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ultraslan.com/|title=ultrAslan Bağımsız Taraftar Oluşumu|website=www.ultraslan.com|access-date=2016-07-12}}</ref>
'''ultrAslan''' is an [[ultras]] group who support [[Turkey|Turkish]] [[association football|football]] club [[Galatasaray S.K. (football team)|Galatasaray]]. They were named as "ultrAslan" in 2001 but their history goes way back. They have branches both in Turkey and abroad. Since its formation, ultrAslan has endured some criticism from the Turkish media, who often caricature them as [[football hooliganism|hooligans]].
 
The firm was founded on 20 January 2001, after various smaller groups of fans decided that, Galatasaray, which could be seen as a European top club after their success in the [[1999–2000 UEFA Cup]] and [[2000 UEFA Super Cup]], needed a large, organised fan group.<ref>{{cite news|title=Interview with main coordinator Alpaslan Dikmen|url=http://www.sporstudyo.com/Roportaj/961/Sporda-Siddetin-Onune-Gecilebilir.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322154904/http://www.sporstudyo.com/Roportaj/961/Sporda-Siddetin-Onune-Gecilebilir.html|archivedate=2009-03-22}}</ref> This led to the creation of ultrAslan under the leadership of Alpaslan Dikmen, the main coordinator until his accidental death on 27 September 2008. The name of the organisation is a [[portmanteau]] word combining the concepts of "[[Ultras]]" and "Aslan" (the [[lion]]).
==Background and creation==
The symbol of Galatasaray is a [[lion]] and in 1995, a supporters group, ''Aslanlar'' (the Lions), was founded. The most active members lived in [[Kadıköy]], a district in the [[Anatolia]]n side of [[Istanbul]]. Their main banner was ''Kadiköylü Aslanlar'' (The Lions of Kadiköy).
 
ultrAslan are renowned for their creative choreography and use of [[flare]]s.<ref>[http://www.tercuman.com.tr/v1/yazaryazi.asp?id=100&yazitar=08.12.2007&yaziid=26991 Article in Tercüman newspaper - From founding until the present.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127010253/http://www.tercuman.com.tr/v1/yazaryazi.asp?id=100 |date=2010-01-27 }}</ref> After a [[derby (football)|derby match]] against [[Fenerbahçe S.K.]] was interrupted due to the use of over 3000 flares, the use of flares was completely forbidden in the Turkish leagues, with the introduction of stiff fines for offenses.<ref>[http://arsiv.sabah.com.tr/2000/11/28/g07.html Newspaper article: Sabah]</ref><ref>[http://www.aksam.com.tr/arsiv/aksam/2004/10/07/yazarlar/yazarlar23.html Online article of Akşam newspaper] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050905171048/http://www.aksam.com.tr/arsiv/aksam/2004/10/07/yazarlar/yazarlar23.html |date=2005-09-05 }}</ref>
However, by 1999, no main group existed and the ''kapalı'' (covered) stands of [[Ali Sami Yen Stadium]], where the most fanatic fans were, was made of a number of small groups. After Galatasaray won the [[UEFA Cup]], beating English club, [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] in [[2000 UEFA Cup Final|2000]] where there was also [[2000 UEFA Cup Final riots|violence]] between Galatasary fans and [[Arsenal firm|Arsenal's organised hooligan firm]], some fans decided to form a more organized group. The smaller groups were then unified to form one large group, choosing the name "ultrAslan", which means Ultras Lions in [[Turkish language|Turkish]]. The goal of the group was to be an independent supporters association which would unite all Galatasaray fans and support the club in each of its sports branches, in all venues.
 
In contrast to many other European fan groups, ultrAslan, although patriotic, is generally had the apolitical in nature.<ref>[http://www.radyospor.com/detay.asp?CID=22437 Bericht im Online-Sportmagazin Radyospor]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> It is quite critical of the club management, and has a major influence on the transfer policy of the club. It strictly declines any financial support or supply of free tickets from the club, and is financed by donations by members as well as by the sale of self-produced articles. Similarly to other Ultra-groups in Europe, they oppose the commercialisation of football.
ultrAslan is a right wing nationalist ultras group.
 
==External links==
ultrAslan began to create further sections of the group. ultrAslan-ÜNI was launched for all Galatasaray fan groups in [[Education in Turkey#Universities|Turkish universities]]. ultrAslan-BH the youth section of the group, mostly made up of college students, was also established. The old stand leaders, however, feared that ultrAslan would control the Kapali stand in their place, and some problems began. Finally, on 6 May 2002, when Galatasaray played at [[Fenerbahçe S.K.|Fenerbahçe]]'s [[Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium]], the stands leader, Sebahattin Şahin, known as "Sebo", appeared wearing an ultrAslan scarf. New sections such as ''Ölümüne'' ("Until we die"), Sultans, and ''Yürüyedur'' ("Keep Walking") also appeared at this time.
▲|| '''Website''' ||* [http://www.ultraslan.com/ www.ultraslan.comOfficial website]
[[File:UltrAslan leaders.jpg|thumb|right|ultrAslan leaders]]
The ultrAslan-Europe section was created for Turks living in Europe, and they made their first appearance at a [[UEFA Champions League 2001–02|UEFA Champions League]] match at [[Anfield]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] on 20 February 2002. ultrAslan-Europe has sub-divisions in [[Austria]], [[Belgium]], [[England]], [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Netherlands]], [[Sweden]], and [[Switzerland]]. Also, in 2002, the ultrAslan banner was present for [[Turkey national football team|Turkey]] games during the [[World Cup 2002|World Cup]] in [[Japan]] and [[South Korea]].
 
[[Özhan Canaydın]] was elected chairman of Galatasaray, with the goal of promoting "fair play" in [[Football in Turkey|Turkish football]]. However, he made several decisions against fans' wishes, including an attempt to ban fans from attending away [[Local derby|derby matches]]. When Galatasaray played [[FC Barcelona]] on 24 September 2002 in a [[UEFA Champions League 2002–03|Champions League group match]], some ultrAslan fans threw dozens of lit flares onto the pitch, so the club would receive a fine from [[UEFA]] in order to punish Canaydın. Several days later, in a [[Süper Lig|league]] match against [[İstanbulspor A.Ş.|İstanbulspor]], ultrAslan decided to leave the ''kapalı'' stand for the Eski Açık stand behind one goal and turned the their backs to the pitch to protest against the board. At the end of the game, there were violent incidents between ultrAslan members and the police.{{Fact|date=March 2009}}
 
On 6 November 2002, Galatasaray played Fenerbahçe at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium and there was fighting between the fans of both sides. At halftime, Galatasaray fans were removed from the stadium by the police. Some were arrested, and many of ultrAslan's most active members received stadiums bans. The Galatasaray board continued its stance against ultrAslan. After pressure from the board, the Genç Galatasaraylılar Derneği organization was closed and only the name ultrAslan remained. Because of these conditions, a number of ultrAslan leaders left the group, resulting in disorganization and a lack of funds. ultrAslan sections appeared in other Turkish cities, with their own banners, without any centralized control.
 
Toward the end of 2002, Yürüyedur, a 25-member group of Galatasaray fans, which started as a section of ultrAslan, was slowly growing apart from ultrAslan. They had their own products, their own website, they organized tifos at matches against Fenerbahçe and [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]]. ultrAslan though was not organizing much, due to the absence of the association and a lack of funds and motivated people. The old stand leaders were embarrassed about Yürüyedür's growing popularity in the stands. They prevented them from bringing their banners to the stadium, unless they clearly stated their relation to ultrAslan. At the same time, a new group, Karşı, composed of fans from the Anatolian side of Istanbul, joined ultrAslan.
 
In April 2003, Galatasaray obtained the right to sell products carrying the ultrAslan logo in its stores, and ultrAslan became a registered trademark. The result of this was that anyone could buy ultrAslan products. Some criticized the decision, arguing that ultrAslan woud lose its independence. Others thoug approved of it, saying it could earn money for the club. However, at the end of 2006, Galatasaray announced that they giving back the ultrAslan brand to the group.
 
In the 2003–04 season, Galatasaray played home matches at the [[Atatürk Olympic Stadium]]. ultrAslan used the main stand, also called ''Kapali''. ultrAslan continued their action against Özhan Canaydın, this time for having left the Ali Sami Yen Stadium and because of the teams poor results. In August 2004, Galatasaray played in the Champions World Series tournament, against [[F.C. Porto|FC Porto]] at [[Giants Stadium]], in [[New Jersey]], [[United States]]. An ultrAslan-USA banner was shown and this group also takes part each year in [[New York City]]'s Turkish day parade.
 
[[File:Galatasaray-Konyaspor game.jpg|left|thumb|300px|ultrAslan celebrating Özhan Canaydın in 2004]]
For the 2004-05 season, Galatasaray returned to the Ali Sami Yen Stadium and celebrated its centenary. ultrAslan suspended their protest against the board in a show of unity, and called Özhan Canaydın to the stands, calling him "Great President" for the first league match against [[Konyaspor]]. After several fights between Yürüyedur and the old stand leaders at the beginning of the season during the [[Akçaabat Sebatspor]] and [[Malatyaspor]] games, mainly about the possibility of former player [[Fatih Akyel]]'s return, Yürüyedur left the stands for good. However, some fans criticized the old leaders saying that they act in their own interests, and claiming that they earn money from selling tickets, which they receive free, on the black market. Interviewed about this issue on television, ultrAslan leader Alpaslan Dikmen denied any problem existed and claimed that Yürüyedur had only ever been a banner in the stadium and had never been a fan group.<ref name="youtubeinterview">{{cite news|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBKzlX_5Gas|title="Herkes Kesesine Göre"|date=7 March 2007|publisher=[[YouTube]]|language=Turkish|accessdate=2009-03-03}}</ref> At the end of the season, internal problems appeared in ultrAslan in Turkey, after old stand leaders shouted against Galatasaray coach [[Gheorghe Hagi]], and threatened fellow fans who disagreed. Hagi eventually resigned.
 
In 2005, a German branch of ultrAslan-Europe was opened in [[Duisburg]]. On 8 June, the new ultrAslan-[[Kazakhstan]] branch displayed their banner at a [[2006 FIFA World Cup]] [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 2|group two qualifying match]] between [[Kazakhstan national football team|Kazakshtan]] and Turkey.
 
In 2005–06, ultrAslan renewed its protests against the Galatasaray administration, criticizing the board for what they claimed were lies about the construction of a new stadium, the controversial departure of [[Franck Ribéry]], the use of Galatasaray's island, the transfers of new players, their responsibility in Gheorghe Hagi's departure and what ultraSlan claimed was their general incapacity to manage the club efficiently and profitably. They chose, however, not to be violent. They showed banners at the first league game against Konyaspor, and shook white [[handkerchief]]s as a protest at the next home game against Malatyaspor.
 
After Galatasaray's shock elimination by Norwegian club [[Tromsø IL]] in the first round of the [[UEFA Cup 2005–06|2005–06 UEFA Cup]], fans shouted "Board, resign". However, some criticized the ultrAslan leaders for limiting their protests against the board because of their obedience to the old stand leaders, who are financially assisted by the board. Meanwhile, ultrAslan started to organize tifos again. Two of their most active sections, Sultans and Karşı, organized hand-made tifos for matches against Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş. ultrAslan tried more and more to create their tifos and banners by hand, instead of paying for industrial fabrication. The group celebrated its fifth anniversary on 17 February 2006, with a party in a nightclub in Istanbul.
 
[[Image:Alpaslan_dikmen-Pankart1_resize.JPG|right|thumb|300px|ultrAslan's worked up this banner for decedent president Alparslan Dikmen in ''Yeni Açık Tribün'']]
In the [[2006–07 in Turkish football|2006–07 season]] Galatasaray played again in the [[UEFA Champions League 2006–07|Champions League]]. Despite the fans wish to play at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium, Özhan Canaydın and the board chose not to make the necessary renovations to adapt it to UEFA rules, and raise more funds with ticket sales. Galatasaray played all three home games at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium. ultrAslan protested during a match against Liverpool with a large banner saying "Forever Sami Yen". In December, before the away game at Fenerbahçe, ultrAslan appeared in [[Danny Dyer]]'s documentary [[The Real Football Factories International]]. After provoking declarations from Fenerbahçe board member Ali Koç, of the [[Koç family]], ultrAslan launched a campaign to boycott [[Koç Holding|Koç]] products, using a banner at a match against [[Kayserispor]] in the [[Türkiye Kupası 2006-07|Turkish Cup]], with a tifo calling for a boycott.
 
The group also continued their protests against the board, with several banners during the season. These protests reached a peak on 19 May 2007, as Galatasaray hosted Fenerbahçe. ultrAslan fought with the police, and threw dozens of flares and hundreds of bottles on the pitch during the game.{{Fact|date=March 2009}} The Turkish Football Federation made Galatasaray play their first five games of the [[2007–08 in Turkish football|2007–08 season]] behind closed doors.
 
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
 
*[http://www.ultraslan.com Official website] {{tr icon}}
*[http://www.ultraslan-bh.com ultrAslan Boys of Hell website] {{tr icon}}
*[http://www.uaeyupsultan.com ultrAslan Eyüp Sultan] {{tr icon}}
*[http://www.ugruna.com ultrAslan UğrunA website] {{tr icon}}
*[http://www.uaizmir.com ultrAslan İzmir] {{tr icon}}
*[http://uni.ultraslan.com ultrAslan Uni] {{tr icon}}
*[http://www.ultraslanbursa.org ultrAslan Bursa] {{tr icon}}
*[http://www.football-hooligans.org/european-ultras-tifo-hooligans.html European Ultras List] {{en icon}}
 
{{Galatasaray SK}} ▼
{{Galatasaray Sports Club}}
 
[[Category:{{Galatasaray S.K. (football team)]]}}
[[Category:Turkish football supporters' associations]]▼
[[Category:Ultras groups]]
 
▲{{[[Category:Galatasaray SK}} S.K.]]
[[de:UltrAslan]]
▲[[Category:TurkishAssociation football supporters'hooligan associationsfirms]]
[[tr:UltrAslan]]
[[Category:2001 establishments in Turkey]]
[[diq:UltrAslan]]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UltrAslan"