Swiss Review 4/2018

20 Swiss Review / July 2018 / No.4 Sport THEODORA PETER Matches are played on Sundays. On the extensive grounds of Hardhof in Zurich, AC Tabula Rasant are playing against FCWiderstandWipkingen, Real Azul against Zwietracht Turicum, and FC Tormotor 07 against Olympique Letten- wiese. Three matches kick off at the same time, which means that between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. all 46 teams in Zu- rich’s alternative league – including eight women’s teams – can theoretically play on the same day. On match days there is a lot of coming and going at Hardhof, but many people also stay on. After the final whistle, most of the players enjoy a beer with their opponents, meet up with friends or watch other league matches as spectators. It is this “third half” above all that distinguishes the alterna- tive league from normal club football, according to the league’s long-serving chairman, Mämä Sykora. He points to the code of conduct in the association’s rulebook: “Great matches against friendly opponents, not ugly games against nasty opponents, are the aim of this league.” Re- spect for opposing players is of paramount importance in the rules “and players shake hands after the match”. Fair play is particularly rewarded and after victories counts above goal difference in the league table. Strengthening teams with external players, such as talent from “normal” clubs outside the alternative league, is also deemed unfair. Discrimination and violence on the pitch are not tolerated. Sykora has experienced just one violent incident during his 14-year stint in office. The guilty player was barred from playing in the league. On the radar of the state security service The Fortschrittliche Schweizerische Fussballverband (Progressive Swiss Football Association), as Zurich’s alter- native league has been officially known since its founda- tion in 1977, stopped pursuing political objectives some time ago. At the time, anarchistic groups hoped to at least bring the fragmented leftwing in Zurich “together on the football pitch if not around a table”, writes former mid- field player Christoph Kohler, historian and writer of the documentary film “Ein Tor für die Revolution” (A Goal for “Great matches against friendly opponents” The world of football is dominated by money. Yet in Switzerland there is a colourful alternative league which even recognised the right to strike in its wild beginnings. The “third half”, during which no goals are ever scored, is vitally important to these idealistic footballers. The Paninis of the alternative scene: An insight into the early years, emotions running high in the Schachtjor v. Rotor match and the team Rosa Liga. Photos: Reto Oeschger