The Argentine barras bravas, ultra-violent football supporter groups, have played a disruptive role at many World Cups.
In Mexico in 1986, fighting between Argentine and English supporters left several fans hospitalised. In Italy in 1990 two factions fought for prized places behind the goal mouth during Argentina matches.
In the 1998 World Cup in France, police classified the Argentine barras bravas as the most violent and dangerous fans in Latin America.
This year, among those deported from South Africa is the leader of the San Martin barra brava, Sergio Roldan. He is out on bail and is under judicial process for the murder of a 13-year-old boy. There were delays in obtaining his criminal record and he got as far as South Africa.
Within Argentine football the barras bravas have been linked to club management and even national politicians in a Mafia-like relationship.
Argentine sports journalists say clubs give them privileges and they act as a kind of "rent-a-crowd" during protests and elections for politicians. Players have also complained of threats from barras bravas and extortion rackets.
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