Three Sided Football Comes To Town

posted by Geoff Andrews at Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Three Sided Football, invented by the Danish situationist philosopher Asger Jorn, comes to London on Saturday May 4 in the biggest tournament of its kind in the UK. Co-hosted by the Deptford Three Sided League, which organises a regular Sunday League version, and Philosophy Football, which has participated in three similar tournaments in Madrid, Rome and Bilbao; the latter played in a Bull-Ring. The teams at this Saturday’s tournament also include a group of Scottish comedians and Polish builders.

What is Three Sided Football?

Three Sided Football was set up by Asger Jorn as an alternative to the confrontational nature of two sided football. Unlike the conventional game, the team that wins in three sided football is that which concedes fewest goals. This ensures a match that is strong on tactics and teamwork, with the three sides switching allegiances and forming alliances as the dynamics of the game shift. Your enemy soon becomes your friend and counter-attack takes on a new meaning as the direction of play turns rapidly across the hexagonal pitch. Corners and throw-ins are not the property of any one team which can often lead to intriguing philosophical debate between teams and the two referees who officiate.

It is perhaps unsurprising that Philosophy Football should be one of the main pioneers of Three Sided Football, given their reputation for playing deep in accordance with the words of philosophical wisdom that adorn their shirts. During the 2010 General Election they co-hosted a tournament with Whitechapel Art Gallery to represent the three main political parties. Then they joined teams of football correspondents in Madrid before playing that epic tournament in a Spanish bull-ring which was captured by Italian TV. Saturday’s tournament will be the first international three sided affair in London, but given the concern over what is happening to the soul of the beautiful game it is an idea which may have found its time.

For interviews: Geoff Andrews (Philosophy Football) @andrewsgeoff
Three Sided Football http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_sided_football

Philosophy Football FC http://www.philosophyfootballfc.org.uk/