The F.I.S.T.F. THE FEDERATION

FISTF – The Federation International of Sports Table Football is the governing body of the Sports Table Football worldwide. FISTF was founded in 16th June 1992 in Hamburg (Germany), merging the European Table Football Federation (ETF 1963-1993) and the Federation of International Subbuteo Associations (FISA 1979-1996). This was achieved through well done negotiatons between the players and Waddingtons SSG Ltd. company. FISTF lays down the Sports playing rules of Table Football. These are based on the original Subbuteo (Subbuteo Sports Games (SSG), FISA) playing rules and partially through the ETF rules, but revised in such a way to suit a highly competitive and fair playing agonistic approach. The players wanted to have a democratic World Federation and be involved in the development of the sports game. The first Board of Directors were agreed on in 1992, the first edition of FISTF Statutes written and FISTF was registered in Paris, France, as an official club (Association) but named Federation as a governing world body. In the playing rules technical data were specified to define the legal playing materials, such as playing figures (from 1929 untill today), goalkeepers, goals, balls and playing area.

Left: Preliminary meeting to create FISTF

Back: Willi Hofmann (SUI), Gary Hosie (AUS), Jean Poivre (BEL), Eric Naszalyi (FRA), Franz Hipfinger (BEL), Ole Madsen (DEN), Frits Vendebaek (DEN)

Front row: Trevor Spencer (ENG), Laurent Garnier (FRA), Alan Cook (ENG), Victor Mule (MLT), Bob McGiffen (SCO), Joseph Debono (MLT)

The Sport SPORTS TABLE FOOTBALL

Table Football is a sport that is played by two persons on a playing board on a table measuring L=1400 mm x W=1000 mm. The playing surface is L=1200 mm x W=750 mm made of nylon or felt, material that resembles a pool table. Each player has 11 figures of 25 millimeters high over a semi-spherical base, weighted at the center of the base to ensure good stability. The rules are similar to the football rules but adapted to the miniature game. An official game has 2 halfes of 15 minutes each. The basics of the game is to flick (propel) a figure using the index finger towards the ball which has a 21 mm diameter, and progressing up on the pitch to score a goal.

The Sports Table Football Wikipedia site with information about the sport.

The playing field

The Goal

The Figures

The extra Goalkeeper

The Goalkeeper with handle

The flicking way

The Features SPORTS TABLE FOOTBALL

Player

The single player of any gender, colour or age.

Club teams

4 per playing team, 6-8 per squad, Team Captain.

Team

Club Teams, Club ‘B’ Teams, National Teams, Youth teams

Categories

Open  —  Veterans  —  Ladies  —  Youth  are  U19,   U15,   U12.

Setup time

2-3 minutes before the Match begins. Including polishing and figures setup.

Playing time

2 x 15 minute periods, 1 x 10-minute extra-time Period , 1 x 10 min. Golden Goal decision.

Random chance

Low. —  A little bit of luck allways needed

Skill(s) required

Dexterity, tactics, accuracy, concentration, flexibility, fast reactions,

Sport

Body and mental fitness is highly required. A competition has individual and team events on seperat two days,   normally Saterday and Sunday, in which up to 10 hours playing and refereeing time is possible.
Main competitions   have  up to 7 matches per day, starting at 08.30 in the morning and the Final at 18.30 or later.   Depends on extra time   in  nock-out rounds (phase) and logistic delays.

Travelling

Travel distances and time can be long and tough, as for every other sport world wide.  No matter per perpedes,   bicycle, motorbike, car, train or aeroplane. Fitness is required. Travel  bookings by yourself.

Hotel

Hotels have to be booked by yourself for all events.

Mission Statement THE FISTF

To promote sport table football in all possible ways.

To endorse the organization of sport events for all levels worldwide.

To develop friendly relationships among officials and players of different National Associations.

To manage the growth of the discipline at a global level taking all the statutory and regulatory decisions at a sporting, financial and administrative level.

To organise and promote competitions that fit the needs of all players, the “next door” hobby player, the game player and the Elite player.

Help each domestic National Association (MNA), Clubs and single players, to develop, grow, become better structured through dedicated tool kits, such as: Training kits, effective advertising materials, flyers, demos, attracting sponsors, media coverage.

Promote the sport in various ways such as promotional videos, public-facing, exhibitions, FISTF website with global coverage, to ensure a high level of fair play and watch over the respect of FISTF statutes and regulations.

To settle and adjudicate any controversy, dispute or claim arising among individuals or National Associations by enacting statutory, regulatory or otherwise appropriate measures.

To ensure organised structure for development for Table Football through out the World.

To Identify, get on board and nurture male and female players of all ages, all ambition. Participation at football training events, partnership with Football organisations and youth clubs.

Controling equipment design and evolution (production) and ensure approved equipment is ready and available internationally.

Controling sports playing rules and precise referee skills.

FISTF Presidents

Position	Name	Nation	Elected	Election Period
1	Laurent Garnier	France	Elected	May 1992-1994, 1994-1996
2	Raymond Kroonberg	Belgium	Commissarial	1996-1998
3	David Baxter	Scotland	Elected	1998-2000, 2000-2002
4	Vincent Coppenolle	Belgium	Elected	2002-2006, 2006-2008, 2008-2010
5	Silvio Catania	Malta	Elected	March 2010 – January 2011
6	Piero Capponi	Spain	Elected	January 2011 – October 2011
7	Laurent Garnier	France	ad interim	November 2011 – 2013
8	Luís Horta	Portugal	Elected	2013 – 2014
9	Alan Collins	England	ad interim	2014 – October 2017
10	Fred Vulpes	Germany	ad interim	November 2017
11	Stephen Dettre	Australia	Elected	December 2017 – September 2020