Reflections on soccer, sovereignty and the state of exception

In this paper, I examine soccer, sovereignty and the state of exception. The paper is a pedagogical tool for undergraduate students in order for them to learn about sovereignty and the state of exception' through soccer, the world's most popular sport. I begin by examining differing conceptions of sovereignty and the state of exception. I then highlight the fate of soccer under various states of exception. I focus on Pinochet's Chile, but also provide examples from the Argentinean military junta, Nazi Germany and El-Sisi's Egypt. I then reflect about soccer, sovereignty, and the state of exception in relation to Federation Internationale de Football Association. I offer concluding remarks about soccer and states of exception. I argue that states of exception are in theory opportunities for change because they expose the naked aggression of states, but in practice they represent a danger for soccer players, fans and democracy.