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Soccer fans of old -

This 1721 engraving depicts a group of fans cheering soccer players during an amateur mob match on London's Crowe Street. Sport in those days on could be rough and unruly.

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Cheerleaders -

A single rosette worn by a female fan is the only sign these fans are cheering  their local team. But soccer supporters around the world were already dressing up for the occasion, especially if it was a cup game.

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FA Cup 1924 -

A group of supporters, in London for the FA Cup final between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Wembley, dress up for the special occasion.

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FA Cup 1932 -

Arsenal fans spell it out at Waterloo Station on their way to a FA Cup tie against Portsmouth at Fratton Park in 1932. In 1939, Portsmouth won the FA Cup and ended up holding the trophy for seven years after the Second World War broke out—the longest any club has kept the cup.

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FA Cup 1933 -

Supporters of West Ham United enjoying themselves at a FA Cup semi-final match against Everton in England, in 1933. Note the collection of beer bottles. Alcohol at UK soccer grounds has been banned since 1985, although that ruling is currently being reviewed, according to recent press reports.

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FA Cup 1933 -

Manchester City fans arrive in high spirits at Euston Station, London, for their team's FA Cup final against Everton at Wembley.

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World Cup 1954 -

A German soccer fan cheers his team with a cowbell at the St. Jakob stadium in Basel, Switzerland, during the 1954 World Cup. The German national soccer team won their semi final against Austria 6-1 and thus entered the World Cup final for the first time.

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FA Cup 1959 -

Supporters of Nottingham Forest wearing scarves and rosettes cheer on their team during the FA Cup final match against Luton Town at Wembley Stadium. Forest won the match 2-1.

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World Cup 1966 -

A patriotic young fan waving the flag for England during the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany at Wembley Stadium.

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World Cup 1966 -

England fans festooned with rosettes cheer on as they watch their team's victory over West Germany in the 1966 World Cup final.

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European Football Championship 1972 -

East and West German supporters gather together at the European Football Championship to watch Poland vs. West Germany. The tournament provided an opportunity for East and West Germans to mix freely long before the Berlin Wall came down.

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African Cup of Nations 1996 -

A South Africa fan supports his team in musical fashion at the African Cup of Nations match against Egypt at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

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Copa América 2001 -

Colombian fans cheer from the stands during a Copa América match between Mexico and Peru at the Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia.

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World Cup 2002 -

Tens of thousands of South Korean soccer fans gather to watch a telecast of the World Cup semi-final match between South Korea and Germany in Seoul, South Korea. Germany beat South Korea 1-0 to reach the World Cup Final for a seventh time.

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World Cup 2002 -

American fans dance in the stands during the Costa Rica vs. USA 2002 World Cup qualification game at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in San José,  Costa Rica.

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African Nations Cup 2002 -

Nigerian fans daubed in their team's national colors cheer from the stands during the game against Mali, which also hosted the tournament.

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DFB-Pokal 2005 -

A lone Bayern Munich fan (seen top right in red) braves a sea of Schalke 04 supporters during the final of the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) in Berlin's Olympiastadion. Bayern Munich won 2-1. 

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Coppa Italia 2007 -

Roma's supporters wave their flags during their Coppa Italia first leg final against Inter Milan at Rome's Olympic Stadium.

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European Football Championship 2008 -

A female Poland fan holding a scarf during the Euro 2008 preliminary round group B soccer match between Germany and Poland at the Woerthersee stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria. Germany won 2-0. 

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European Football Championship 2008 -

A crestfallen young Germany fan reacts in a dejected manner while watching the Euro 2008 final between Spain and Germany. Spain went on to beat their opponents 1-0.

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European Football Championship 2012 -

A Poland fan enjoys the atmosphere during the game between Poland and Russia at the National Stadium in Warsaw.

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European Football Championship 2012 -

A Sweden fan enjoys the atmosphere as his team meet England during the Euro 2012 group D match at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev, Ukraine.

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European Football Championship 2008 -

A quartet of France fans show their support ahead of the Euro 2008 Group C match between Netherlands and France at Stade de Suisse Wankdorf in Berne, Switzerland.

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European Football Championship 2012 -

Spanish fans react with disbelief while watching the Euro 2012 semi-final match between Spain and Portugal on a giant screen in Madrid, Spain.

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Africa Cup of Nations 2013 -

Fans provide a vibrant mix of color at the Burkina Faso vs. Ghana semi-final game at Mbombela Stadium in South Africa.

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African Cup of Nations 2013 -

A female Moroccan fan supports her team while respecting traditional dress code during the 2013 African Cup of Nations Group A match against South Africa at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

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World Cup 2014 -

An emotional Brazil fan reacts after his team is thrashed by Germany 7-1 during the 2014 World Cup semi-final at Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

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European Football Championship 2016 -

A Portugal supporter uses her mobile device decorated with a picture of Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo prior to the Euro 2016 group F match between Portugal and Austria at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Portugal eventually won the Euro 2016 championship.

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European Football Championship 2016 -

A French supporter blows a kiss for the camera during the Euro 2016 Group A match between France and Romania at Stade de France in Paris.

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Copa América 2019 -

Two female Brazil fans pose for pictures as they wait for the start of the Copa América tournament final match against Peru at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2019.

Sources: (The Sun) (BBC Sport) 

See also: The world's best-paid soccer players and managers

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