St. Ambroeus FC is a shelter
In the Milanese dialect, Saint Ambrose, known as ‘Saint’Ambroeus’, is revered as the Patron Saint of Milan. Their emblem features a pigeon, symbolizing the invasive species in ‘Città della Moda’, representing a flock of migrating birds that brings together diverse ethnicities to elevate cultural exchange.
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The Birth
The initial club, established in 2018, consisted of migrants and asylum seekers, gaining official recognition from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). Over time, the team expanded to include a diverse range of individuals, including Italians, foreigners, and first- and second-generation immigrants.
With the belief that everyone deserves a second chance, sports aim to unite people. In the realm of sports, athletes aspire to break down barriers and build camaraderie, viewing football as a vehicle for comradeship and overcoming obstacles, metaphorically depicted as striving to enter the gates of success.
In the realm of soccer, the emphasis shifts away from commodification towards the revival of values such as teamwork, fair play, and wholesome competition. Every Sunday, a raucous crowd fills Centro Sportivo Cameroni to passionately support ‘La Santa’.
Stefano Diena, the leader of the Ultras faction Armata Pirata 161, disclosed:
“We were part of student collectives and social centres. We approached the reality without understanding its potential and values. We behaved like anyone else, though we wanna fight modern football. There are no owners and no backers, everyone must feel involved, we leave no one behind. The Armata has demonstrated an incredible aggregative capacity. Something like that hasn't been seen in Milan for a long time. It was our biggest victory so far”.
The skull and crossbones, symbolizing terror on the high seas, have long been associated with crews known for their bloodthirsty and lawless reputation. These sailors have become a prominent fixture on the open waters, following in the footsteps of the legendary pirate, Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy:
“At first it looked a bit like One Piece. Hence, we chose to add the 161 – the acronym for anti-fascist action – it gave a creative touch to the name and more. It is a symbol of the values we believe in, a political positioning that adds to the strong identity and imagery created by the pirate”.
St. Ambroeus FC pays homage to St. Pauli, which serves as a model for embracing the Jolly Roger as their unofficial symbol. This impromptu initiative by the club signifies their commitment to their political ideals, advocating for sporting integration.
It represents a pioneering archetype that underscores the profound link between the antifascist movement and communist activists. The team emerged as a tale in the fight against all forms of discrimination.
By the mid-1980s, they had risen above their humble beginnings to become a pioneering symbol of German romanticism and countercultural rebellion.
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A Breath of Fresh Air
The renovation of the Millerntor-Stadion, situated in the vibrant red-light district and nightlife hub, highlighted their unconventional ethos.
St. Pauli was at the forefront of initiatives aimed at banning extreme right-wing supporters from attending internal matches, taking a decisive stance against intolerance within German football. Players embraced a visionary initiative, striving to raise awareness against the government's unwavering policies.
Using class warfare as a tool for mass communication, the club deepens the bond between fans and their cause, blending activism with marketing strategies. Amid navigating the waters of historical significance and commercial viability, akin to primal survival instincts, the club finds itself swimming through treacherous waters filled with predators.
Catering to the capitalist currents within the soccer industry, the Jolly Roger has risen as the principal merchandising symbol, embellishing everything from official uniforms to casual wear collections, alongside accessories featuring the skull motif. Some view this trend as a departure from the original ethos upon which St. Pauli FC was founded.
Nevertheless, the club remains unwavering in its principles, leading social initiatives aimed at defending and supporting the proletariat. Social responsibility, political engagement, and tolerance are the pillars of their sporting authenticity, values upheld by St. Ambroeus as well.
According to Tommaso Cohen, a founding member and the first Italian player for La Santa, the team strives to mirror the diverse fabric of Milanese society.
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The Mission
However, the club didn't always have the guarantee of fielding a full team of eleven players. Foreigners faced challenges in officially registering with the FIGC, often lacking proper documentation or residency.
Despite being outcasts from the wider community, including those from reception centres, with their own narratives and experiences of poverty, they were warmly welcomed into the squad.
Black Panthers take their name from the renowned American anti-racist and black emancipation movement, based in Caserma Montello, whilst Corelli Boys and Corelli Lions belong to the Reception Centres for Asylum Seekers located in Via Corelli.
On the other hand, Blue Boys and Sankara FC originated in Trezzano sul Naviglio. They initially participated in Unione Italiana Sport per Tutti (UISP), a friendly competition aimed at overcoming challenges and adversity.
The crowdfunding efforts proved successful, with over 150 volunteers donating funds to cover the expenses needed for renting sports facilities for training and matches.
As the first Italian club comprised of asylum seekers, the project finally came to fruition, allowing the Milanese team to join Terza Categoria. Former President Davide Salvadori recalls the journey:
“Five years ago, together with friends, we went outside a reception centre for inviting the bros to a few parties; apparently, they did not seem glad about going dancing. Moreover, many of them had only been in Italy for two months and have struggled to expressing; the primary obstacle was language, even though once we called names of footballers everyone got how to communicate”.
There are very few locals, as most of the boys are inherently Milanese, having grown up in this intercultural city that has been shaped by immigration from the south to the north. This environment allows for the coexistence of different cultures:
“We never ask to talk about their past, as several of them arrived by sea, been imprisoned in Libya, suffering psychological and physical trauma. You realize what they have gone through by observing conducts: here they find a glitter of hope”.
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The Pigeon
Established in 2018, La Santa represents the amalgamation of pre-existing experiences of individuals from diverse backgrounds, all conversing in the universal language of football.
While foreigners are given priority, St. Ambroeus is inclusive to all, with the primary objective being integration, and ultimately, empowerment, especially for migrants. onetwo conducted an exclusive interview with marketing account, and Directory board member Philip Sassoon, who stated:
“The three founding values of St. Ambroeus are anti-racism – including the routes to the region of Sicily – anti-sexism, and anti-fascism. The club is eligible for community service, a path towards redemption repentance for probation”.
Asylum seekers are distinct from political refugees, The Pigeon unites people of various religions. Ghettoization is not tolerated; the Milanese team, playing on provincial pitches, carries a message of hope and redemption. Executive Gian Marco Duina acknowledged:
“At our first friendly match, there were more than 50 of us, and we did not choose depending on how good the player was: our educational project has to serve the boys on the job as well”.
Following the formation of the Fair Play Arena consortium, they relocated to Gorla in September 2019. Here, they partnered with the Milanese rugby team Stella Rossa and No League Sport in Zona, a project designed for mates of the neighbourhood passionate about football.
Considering the pandemic and the shift to remote training sessions, they secured the Gorla sports centre for the next 12.
The regular season resumed in September 2021, with La Santa completing a dozen of players from Deportivo Milano, a club that brings together Central, and South American football enthusiasts – ten of whom hailing from El Salvador, and one from Ecuador.
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Recent Performance
By the end of the year, they had won their division and earned promotion to Seconda Categoria. Additionally, they established the women's team, and amateur team – main core of integration project itself – which were promptly registered with the Centro Sportivo Italiano (CSI), and in 2023, in collaboration with No League, also Juniores’ FIGC were founded.
Affiliation facilitates the registration process for newcomers, including second or third-generation immigrants, enabling them to obtain residency permits to participate in the oratory championships—a common practice among Italian teenagers to foster camaraderie.
St. Ambroeus aims to transition into a popular shareholding structure, where investors pay membership fees to vote on company decisions during meetings. Hereto Philip states:
“The fans started to take part in the management of the club. Inter Milan former legends have been discussing to acquire La Beneamata, proving that shareholding ownership represents our future. The pirates joined the project to embrace our policy, allowing us to keep the project alive. Rather than the fans, athletes have not a feel for taking part in the stockholding. Nevertheless, from the beginning of this year, the board decided to involve players in the off-field life of La Santa”.
The Italian Law
Foreigners are required to forward the documentation to FIGC offices, which gives the go-ahead for the registration. Ensuing We Want to Play campaign, legislators amended Article 40, Section 11 of the Norme Organizzative Interne FIGC (NOIF) to eliminate time constraints that previously hindered the registration of non-EU amateurs without a green card.
Those residing in Centres for Permanence for Repatriation (CPR) often find themselves sheltering in tents. Amidst the refugee crisis, 36 percent of Italians believed that foreigners numbered over 20 million, while our country has welcomed hundreds of thousands of immigrants.
Soccer serves as a powerful tool for integration. We strive for freedom and a model of equality accessible to all. Thanks to St. Ambroeus, we can make this vision a reality.
