La Doce

La Doce is a barra brava (supporters group) of the Argentine football side Boca Juniors ('Boca'). The group's name is a reference to "the 12th player" (la doce).^[1]

Jugador Número Doce
Abbreviation	La 12
Founded	1965
Type	Supporters' group
Location	La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Arena	La Bombonera
Stand	North (at home)
Colors

La Doce and Its Role in Argentine Football Culture

La Doce, Boca Juniors' barra brava, is known worldwide as one of the most important supporter groups in Argentine football. Founded in the 1960s (with unofficial organized support going back to the 1920s), La Doce has come to embody the qualities of commitment, passion, and aguante (endurance) that define Boca Juniors' fans. La Doce, founded in the 1960s with unofficial organized backing going back to the 1920s, has come to embody the qualities of commitment, passion, and aguante (endurance) that define Boca Juniors' fans.  The organization is known for its extensive match support, which includes fireworks, huge banners, and synchronized chanting. La Doce's impact goes beyond the stadium; it plays a major role in the social and cultural life of its members.

Many people join La Doce not just to back a football club but also as a way of social identification and belonging. Though La Doce is unique by its size and structure, the communal element is clear all through Argentine football.  Though La Doce is unique by its size and structure, the communal element is clear throughout Argentine football.  Their rituals include of pre-match get-togethers on La Boca neighborhood streets, drinking traditional drinks, and singing club anthems.  La Doce has become essential to Boca Juniors' identity by means of these generational customs and the link between supporters, the area, and the team. La Doce has come to be essential to Boca Juniors' identity by means of these generational customs and the link between fans, the community, and the club.

Translating to "The Twelfth Player," the group's name emphasizes their self-view as an extension of the squad on the field.  La Doce has, however, also come under investigation for participation in violence and claims of corruption, which has drawn more government and media attention. [^[2]]  Notwithstanding these debates, La Doce is still a major emblem of Argentine football culture and fan loyalty.

Social Dynamics and Community Identity in Barras Bravas

Barras bravas like La Doce are more than just supporter groups.  They are social groups that provide their members a feeling of community and group identification. Social groups give their members a feeling of community and shared identity.  Usually from working-class areas, these groups come from where football has historically been a unifying factor and source of local pride.  For many participants, the barra brava is a second social system that fosters unity and common goal.

Collective singing, flag displays, and pre-match get-togethers among barras bravas help to create unity and sense of belonging. La Doce underlines its ties to Boca Juniors and the cultural legacy of the La Boca area, which has historical working-class ties. La Doce underlines its ties to Boca Juniors and the cultural legacy of the La Boca area, which has historical working-class ties.  Visual symbols, clothing, and language showing loyalty to both the club and the supporter organization communicate this link.

Barras bravas social dynamics feature sometimes conflict and complicated connections.  Studies show that some aspects of these groups conflict with their beneficial communal roles and are linked to aggressive conduct, exclusionary policies, and displays of hypermasculinity. [^[3]]  Though difficult, barras bravas are still important to Latin American football culture since they show the great cultural relevance of the game.

History

La Doce has attracted media attention due to violence involving its members.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]}