ThediscriminatorycharacteroffootballandIndustrialism

At the end of the 19th century, football's elitist features were evident from the buttoned-up uniforms, the tied silk scarves, the meticulously trimmed mustaches, the hair combed even after the match, the high membership dues charged to club members, and, in some cases, the wearing of a tie.

Moreover, at that time, games didn't have the competitive drive to win at any cost. The sportsmen, as these “athletes” were called, were always expected to act elegantly, displaying sportsmanship, being true gentlemen — disciplined, loyal, and refined — even when facing the rival team. There was no room for rivalries or a lack of civility; they needed to use that space as an expression and celebration of the classic European bourgeois way of life.

Image description: This is a black and white photograph of a group of men wearing football uniforms. The men are arranged in two rows: in the front row, they are sitting on the ground, while in the second row they are standing behind the first. All the men are looking directly at the camera. Behind them, there is a wooden fence with people watching. In the background, there are buildings and trees.

It was common for matches to be announced through invitations that also included commemorative balls and dinners bringing together both teams. Fluminense, founded in 1902, was the very picture of this aristocratic team: it always took to the field impeccably, with young players who were white-skinned and well-groomed. Thus, the stage was set for the affirmation of European fashions and habits.

Other teams that represented this elite that imported European trends very well were Botafogo Football Club (1904), Flamengo -- whose football team was created in 1911, following a split within Fluminense -- and América Football Club (1904).

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of six men arranged in a row. From left to right, the men are positioned as follows: one man standing behind the other five, followed by two men sitting together, another sitting alone, another sitting alongside a man standing behind him, and finally one man sitting alone on the right. They are all wearing formal early twentieth-century clothing.

Even with the strong European influences in the territory and the constant exclusion of the poor, Black people, and the illiterate — considered unworthy of enjoying any aspect of the sportsman lifestyle —, there was a predisposition for the development of this sport in Brazil.

Thus, even though it had won over the elite's taste, Rio's football soon caught the attention of the less privileged classes, who started out with the well-known street "peladas" and soon began creating their own teams.

In addition to the participation of working-class segments living in the city's North and West Zones, working-class segments played a decisive role, creating countless teams, the so-called "worker teams." The practice of soccer in factories led companies to be regarded as "breeding grounds for star players," with their own recreational associations and teams made up of all kinds of players.

Under the influence of the Alberto Silvares Metropolitan League, and aiming to create barriers against the mixing of rich and poor, a new division was created, called the “working-class series,” intended for clubs that had workers among their members. The proliferation of suburban and working-class clubs led to an enormous rise in the popularity of Rio de Janeiro football. So much so that, in the 1910s, the sport came to surpass rowing in popularity.

With the passage of time and as more and more workers' teams emerged, championships held among employees from different sectors or between factories increased. Although they weren't considered "top-tier" teams, nor did they win many titles, they played a relevant role in integrating different marginalized segments in Rio de Janeiro. As an example, we have the teams Bangu, Andaraí, and Aliança Football Club.

Image description: This is an old black-and-white photograph of a group of people, possibly football players, posing for a picture. In the back, six men are standing, wearing black-and-white striped shirts. In front, sitting on the ground, are five other men also wearing striped shirts. The arrangement is asymmetrical, with some members of the group positioned more to the left and others more to the right. Everyone appears to be outdoors, possibly on a lawn or in a courtyard. There is no visible text or names in the image.