In Colombia, football helps reconcile civilians, ex-FARC and police | OneFootball

In Colombia’s Meta department, a football league brings civilians, ex-combatants and police together, an effort launched by former FARC guerrillas who signed the 2016 peace accord.

According to L'Équipe, ex-fighters such as Rafael Ricardo Guadas and Diego Gonzalez say the sport has broken the ice, helping neighbours see them as people first.

Founded in 1964 amid rural inequality, the FARC’s war left at least 450,000 dead, mostly civilians. The United States, European Union and Canada later listed it as a terrorist group. About 13,000 demobilised after the deal, opening a fragile reconciliation.

In the jungle years, micro-football thrived on raked earth beneath tall trees, with goals scratched into the ground. When balls ran short, clothes were bundled, and celebrations stayed hushed while lookouts patrolled.

As risks and costs rose, some brigades banned football because rubber boots split and injuries mounted, so volleyball often replaced it. High points included 1-1 with Germany in 1990 and the 5-0 in Buenos Aires in 1993.

During the Havana talks in 2014, delegates from the FARC, the ELN and the state watched Brazil against Colombia together. In the conflict’s final months, football dominated as attacks subsided and tournaments multiplied.

Today at the Mariana Páez ETCR, evening matches under three floodlights still draw neighbours to a dusty pitch. Many ex-guerrillas face scarce jobs, mistrust and killings of ex-signatories, while some joined Comunes and others rearmed. For Sandra Reyes, sport helped them endure the war and now teaches them how to live side by side.

Source: L'Équipe