Tifosi is an Italian word to describe a group of fans. The word for a single fan is Tifoso and the female version of the word is Tifosa for singular and Tifose for plural.

Football

The word is mainly used to describe fans of clubs in Football. Apart from the many local fan clubs in Italy whose main role is (for example) to provide a meeting place for fans and friends and organize away trips, since the late 60s many Italian fans rely on organized stadium groups known as Ultras. The main goal is to choreograph fan support with flags, banners, coloured smoke screens, drums, and chanting in unison. For most teams city rivalries, colours, coat of arms, symbols, and the overall iconography have roots in the Middle Ages and early Renaissance. As the chosen names of most organized groups, the youth of most members, and the late 60s origins may suggest, the social trend is best understood as part of the popular culture that centres around the year 1968.

Originally the word was only used in Italy, it is now used by fans all over the world. For example, a new group of hard core fans of Ajax Amsterdam, Vak 410 (Official site) describes themselve as tifosi and their actions as Tifos

Formula 1

Recently, it has become common to use the word Tifosi to refer to the supporters of Scuderia Ferrari, particularly in Formula One. Italian motor racing fans are well-known for their love of Ferrari, whereas most other supporters tend to support local drivers rather than teams.

Tifosi can provide Formula One with some of its most iconic images, as a sea of red fills the grandstands at the San Marino and Italian Grand Prixs. Another of the Tifosi trademarks is a gigantic Ferrari flag displayed in the grandstands before the race.

Formula One | Ferrari

Tifoso | Tifosi | Tifosi