At a glance
Eskapulats in 30 seconds
Eskapulats is CE Europa's supporters' group, born in 2013 among friends from the Gràcia neighbourhood and based in the Gol Sud of the Nou Sardenya. It continues a tradition of Europa fan animation that goes back to the youth peña L’Escapulari, from 1979. Esport3 described it in 2023, together with Sant Andreu's Desperdicis 07, as left-wing and pro-independence, and its motto is «Grada popular». In June 2026 it was still active and condemned the assault on a Europa fan.
- Club
- CE Europa
- City
- Barcelona
- Stadium
- Nou Sardenya
- Stand
- Gol Sud of the Nou Sardenya
- Founded
- 2013
- Situation
- Statement by the group after the assault on a fan (June 2026)
Documented history
Eskapulats: CE Europa's popular stand since 2013
Eskapulats was born in 2013, when a group of friends from Gràcia hung at the Nou Sardenya a banner made from the back of an advertising tarpaulin, with the Europa crest and a red star. It was not the first attempt at organised animation at the club: Detrás de la Portería recalls the youth peña L’Escapulari, born in 1979, the peñas Caliu Gracienc and Torcida Escapulada and short-lived nineties groups such as Front Escapulat and Hooligans Europa.
From the bass drum to the Gol Sud
According to Detrás de la Portería, a fanzine written from within stand culture, Eskapulats began with about ten people and a bass drum, changing ends depending on which way Europa was attacking. Ten years later it had settled in the Gol Sud and had created sections such as Writers, Burlats, Eskafumats, Boinuts and Outsiders. The same fanzine notes that the group distances itself from the term «ultra», although it acknowledges the influence of that culture on the way it cheers.
See this section's source ↗The derby with Sant Andreu
The derby with Sant Andreu pits Eskapulats against Desperdicis 07, a group founded in 2007. Esport3 stressed in April 2023 that the two had more in common than differences, beyond the sporting rivalry, and reported their mottos: «Ultres antifeixistes» for Desperdicis and «Grada popular» for Eskapulats. Before the 2023 derby, Eskapulats animated the last training session with a flare display, called the pre-match gathering in the plaza del Raspall and led a march through the streets of Gràcia to the stadium, according to Detrás de la Portería.
See this section's source ↗2023: an anniversary at La Fontana
The 2023 report of the Espai Jove La Fontana records a concert with Eskapulats on 15 December, alongside emerging bands from Gràcia, as an anniversary activity of the group at a youth centre in the neighbourhood.
See this section's source ↗2024–2026: anti-fascism and a reported assault
In October 2024, at a match at the RCDE Stadium, local fans directed Nazi gestures at Europa's away section; the club responded by asserting its anti-fascism with a photo of the team in front of the Eskapulats banner, according to Esport3. In June 2026, the group reported that the fan wounded with a bladed weapon had been the victim of an ideologically motivated assault. CE Europa condemned the assault but disassociated it from football; VilaWeb could not confirm the group's version and the investigation remained open.
See this section's source ↗Key dates
Timeline of Eskapulats
1979 · Precedent: L’Escapulari
The youth animation peña L’Escapulari is born, the first of several at Europa.
2013 · First banner
A group of friends from Gràcia hangs the first Eskapulats banner at the Nou Sardenya.
2023 · Derby and ten years
Flare display, pre-match gathering in the plaza del Raspall and a march before the derby; concert at La Fontana in December.
2024 · Nazi gestures at the RCDE Stadium
Europa responds by asserting its anti-fascism with a photo in front of the group's banner.
2026 · Reported assault
The group reports an ideological motive in the stabbing of a fan; the club disassociates it from football.
Ideology and identity · Eskapulats
In April 2023, Esport3 described Eskapulats and Desperdicis 07 as having a left-wing and pro-independence ideology, one of rejecting exclusionary and discriminatory behaviour and of celebrating local identity. The group's first banner, from 2013, already carried a red star, according to Detrás de la Portería. In June 2026, the group itself described the assaulted fan as pro-independence and anti-fascist, in a statement reported by VilaWeb. These are descriptions of the group, not of all Europa supporters.
Source of this description ↗Frequently asked questions
Getting to know Eskapulats
When did Eskapulats begin?
In 2013, according to Esport3 and Detrás de la Portería, when a group of friends from Gràcia hung its first banner at the Nou Sardenya.
Which team is Eskapulats from?
CE Europa, a club from the Gràcia neighbourhood of Barcelona. It cheers at the Nou Sardenya.
Where do Eskapulats stand at the Nou Sardenya?
In the Gol Sud, where they settled after a first few years changing ends depending on which way Europa was attacking, according to Detrás de la Portería.
What is Eskapulats's ideology?
Left-wing and pro-independence, according to Esport3 (2023), which attributed that ideology to both Eskapulats and Desperdicis 07. Its first banner carried a red star.
Is Eskapulats an ultra group?
It presents itself as a supporters' group and a «popular stand». Detrás de la Portería noted in 2023 that it distances itself from the term «ultra», although it takes forms from that culture.
Who is Eskapulats's rival?
Desperdicis 07, of UE Sant Andreu, in the Barcelona popular-football derby. Esport3 describes it as a sporting rivalry between groups with a lot in common.
Where does the name Eskapulats come from?
«Escapulats» is the nickname of Europa's supporters, whose shirt has carried a blue scapular on the chest since 1926, according to the club itself.
Is Eskapulats still active?
Yes. In June 2026 it published a statement on the assault on a Europa fan, according to VilaWeb.
Sources
The documents behind this history
Each source keeps its date and scope. Titles appear in their original language. An insider account, an announcement and an official decision document different facts.
- El derbi del futbol popular entre Sant Andreu i Europa acaba amb ball de bastons (1-1) ↗
Redacció Esport3 · 3Cat · 2 April 2023
Foundation in 2013, attributed ideology, mottos and rivalry with Desperdicis. Article in Catalan.
- Mucho más que un poble contra vila ↗
Detrás de la Portería (fanzine) · 26 November 2023
First banner, precedents since 1979, Gol Sud, sections and the events of the 2023 derby.
- Memoria de Espai Jove La Fontana 2023 ↗
Consell de la Joventut de Barcelona · 2023
Concert with Eskapulats on 15 December 2023.
- La resposta de l'Europa als gestos nazis enregistrats a l'RCDE Stadium ↗
Esport3 / 3Cat · 14 October 2024
Episode of October 2024 and the club's stance. Article in Catalan.
- Els Eskapulats denuncien que l’afeccionat de l’Europa va ser apunyalat per independentista i antifeixista ↗
VilaWeb · 1 June 2026
The group's statement and the club's version; investigation open. Article in Catalan.
- Història ↗
CE Europa
Blue scapular on the shirt since 1926.
Documentary review: 18 October 2026. English edition: 21 October 2026. Editorial team: Mundo Ultras.
Keep reading