Skip linksSkip to Content
play
Live
Navigation menu
  • News
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
  • Explained
  • Opinion
  • Sport
  • Video
    • Features
    • Economy
    • Human Rights
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Podcasts
play
Live

In Pictures

Gallery|Coronavirus pandemic

In Pictures: Argentines play ‘human foosball’ amid pandemic

Amateur clubs engage in a new form of football, altering rules to maintain physical distancing while playing.

Argentina football
Amateur players stand before a match at the Play Futbol 5 local club in Pergamino, Argentina. [Natacha Pisarenko/AP]
Published On 3 Jul 20203 Jul 2020
facebooktwitterwhatsappcopylink

Football-starved Argentines have found a way to play their beloved sport while physical distancing – though the rules have been altered.

Dubbed “metegol humano” or “human foosball”, the game designed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic involves dividing the field with white chalk into 12 rectangles and restricting each player to a defined space.

The ball can be passed across rectangles, and players can dribble inside their areas. The modified game emphasises passing and shooting over running and fancy footwork. And of course, there are no rough tackles.

Members of the Vende Humo FC and Los Mismos de Siempre amateur teams tried the new form of the game at the Play Futbol 5 complex in the city of Pergamino, about 240km (149 miles) from the capital, Buenos Aires.

Players concentrated on not stepping over the lines as they dribbled and defended. Leaving one’s rectangle incurs a penalty.

Professional football in the Latin American nation is suspended, and players cannot train. For amateurs who usually rent fields for games, it was like breathing again.

Advertisement

“Now I feel free and happy, getting together again with friends and playing football,” said Martin Rodriguez, a defender from Vende Humo FC.

“If it were up to me, I would do this from Monday to Monday.”

Argentina human foosball
Members of the Vende Humo FC and Los Mismos de Siempre amateur teams tried the modified game. [Natacha Pisarenko/AP]
Advertisement
Argentina human foosball
A goalkeeper blocks a shot during the match. [Natacha Pisarenko/AP]
Argentina human foosball
In order to continue playing amid government restrictions, the football field is divided into 12 rectangles to mark limited areas for each player, keeping them from making physical contact [Natacha Pisarenko/AP]
Argentina human foosball
Lautaro Colard watches his friends at the Play Futbol 5 local club. [Natacha Pisarenko/AP]
Argentina human foosball
Martin Rodriguez eyes the ball as he warms up prior to the match in Pergamino, Argentina [Natacha Pisarenko/AP]
Argentina human foosball
The modified game emphasises passing and shooting over running and fancy footwork [Natacha Pisarenko/AP]
Advertisement


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Work for us
    • Contact Us
    • User Accounts Help
    • Advertise with us
    • Stay Connected
    • Newsletters
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2025 Al Jazeera Media Network