Anarchist Soccer: Wikis

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==About Anarchist Soccer==

Sometimes referred to as the Anarchist Soccer League, ASL or Anarchy Soccer, it is similar in appearance to the regular game, except rules tend to be more free form and differ wildly by region. Even when agreed upon in advance, said "rules" often evolve during games in response to circumstances and conditions, because nothing in nature is static after all. The following, plagarized introduction to the anarchist soccer austin website sums up the the spirit of the game:

"So, what's this Anarchist Soccer all about? no rules, black clothing, molotovs & chaos?

nah. forget the media cliches, there are rules, just no rulers. we're reclaiming sport and playing it our way. we're still competitive, but in a way that's more about fun and respect for all involved, rather than boosting individual egos. we don't take things too seriously. we don't keep score except for the last goal, there are no goal posts or boundries, we don't play positions, we swap players, sometimes we're really lazy, sometimes we run hard, sometimes we stop mid-game to talk with opposing players, but no one gets really angry - we're all friends. when we foul, we concede it. we play until we decide its time to stop, not nature, though the summer heat kicks our ass.

This game of anarchist soccer is about gathering, running, talking, falling, laughing, kicking, shanking and scoring - usually messily, other times beautifully - and rebuilding community... this is what seems important now."

Possible History of the Anarchist Soccer League (ASL)

As with many things anarchist, the origins of anarchist soccer are preserved mainly in myth and heresay, passed on through oral tradition and grossly out of date websites. There are those who believe that it first appeared in the United States in Washington D.C. in the heady spring of 1999:

"The ASL was started in the Spring about 3 years ago when we were having the Polish Club Film series which was started as a cultural outlet for local anarchs and others to have a social/discussion group---nothing more. One day, Derek Brown ripped out a wrinkled piece of notebook paper and scrawled across the top, "If you want to join the Anarchist Soccer League, sign here." So if anyone wants to know who "started it", it was him. I thought it was a joke, but Ed R. was the first to sign up, and was soon followed by others. (In ASL, he used to be known as "Ed the Wall" for his goal-keeping skills). It instantly became a hit. No one owns it or is the director of it, although we used to jokingly say that it was clandestinely directed by a "Troika" made up of Szymon, Derek and myself (Derek and I are still around, but Szymon is probably somewhere in Columbia trying to dodge the FARC's kidnapping schemes). Anyone can play. No one cares what your ideology is (unless you belong to the Meridian soccer club who put some slanderous things about us on their website). A lot of people who do play are anarchs, though. I really can't believe what it's become because I thought it was a joke at first. I was talking to Derek last night and we were laughing about the fact that there is some huge article in the Post about it, and the fact that the Globe and Mail and BBC want to interview people is pretty hilarious. I do like the fact that the Post said that we came out for "sports, camraderie, and the defeat of global capitalism" and the fact that Bill White called us "dorks and losers." Because of the latter, I think we might be doing something correct." - Damon, Washinton D.C. ASL

This may be wrong...

How To Start Your Own League

Visit your local anarchist bookstore, collective, indymedia group or infoshop to see if a league already exists

Talk to your friends about starting an ASL

Locate a soccer field or flat spot

Decide on a date and time for the match

Put up flyers

Send out e-mails to local activist or anarchist lists

Show up and have fun

Follow games with a party, potluck or similar celebration

Quotes

"If I can't play soccer, I want no part of your revolution." - from the Anarchist Football Network website, paraphrasing a famous quote from anarchist Emma Goldman