Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

negative; conflict can and should be seen as an opportunity for change anddevelopment, but also as a challenge to put more work into the whole issue offair play.10. Another aim of teaching fair play should be to reach a situation in whichfewer referees are needed rather than more. The aim should be to “transplant”the referee into each and every one of us.5. Some issues that promote unfair gamesThere are many aspects that promote unfair games, eventually leading to escalationof aggression and violence. These issues should be known and looked at seriously asonly then can specific issues be identified and changed at an early stage or even beavoided!AtmosphereEven before a game or match begins, one can feel the atmosphere. If it is not afriendly or sociable atmosphere, one feels the negative charge, the tension in the air.It might be that memories of the last game between the teams are still vivid: maybeunjust decisions had been taken and now it’s time for ‘revenge’, maybe there is pressureon the teams to win this time, perhaps provocation and threats have beenexchanged by the players and supporters of the teams. If things don’t go right thistime, the tension easily explodes.ProvocationIf the provocation is accidental, it is more a misunderstanding, as the provocateurmight not even understand the act or talk as provocation. But it stimulates anger andfrustration in the receiver. Provocation can also be intentional and meant to amplifythe anger in the receiver. A very hard and well targeted provocation can easily triggerthe explosion of a situation.Physical actionsA game has just begun and is quickly becoming more and more physical — fouls andphysical harm can be observed. If the referee is not strict and does not treat the playersor teams equally, the game could quickly spiral out of control. It might not take alot for physical attacks to spread to the supporters of the teams.242 V I I . F A I R P L AY