Invasion games in war‐torn nations: can football help to build peace?

Abstract

Interpersonal violence such as terrorism, civil war and transnational conflict pose a significant threat to peace in many contemporary societies. Such hostilities frequently produce humanitarian crises that encourage the international community to engage in ‘humanitarian intervention’ in an effort to stabilize/restore social order. This article examines the applicability of football as a tool to promote peace‐building in post‐conflict communities. As a consequence of its simplicity and global popularity, a number of non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) have noted the suitability of football as a mechanism to help build peace and promote social development in post‐conflict societies. They regard football as a means of encouraging otherwise segregated groups to congregate in shared space to partake in a collective sporting experience – and see this as a positive thing to do. Consequently, this article examines a football‐based NGO programme conducted in Liberia and, by way of exploring the applicability of football as a tool for peace promotion, a series of philosophical questions about football are raised. For example, because football is an invasion game based upon the principles of attack and defence, key warfare concepts may be played out and reinforced rather than mitigated. The article concludes that whilst some excellent work is undertaken by NGOs, more in‐depth research is required to understand the impact of a project upon a society or individuals who promoted the use of football for peace‐building.