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The Faroe Islands and the world society: the development of elite club football framed by commercial and local interests and international regulations

ABSTRACT A limited, but growing body of sport policy and management research is dedicated to studies investigating challenges and opportunities for small and micro nations. Likewise, global aspects of football are regularly investigated; yet the daily organisation of club football at the geographical margins is often neglected. The overall purpose of this study is to investigate the development of elite football clubs on the Faroe Islands. In particular, through qualitative interviews the study explores how board chairmen (n = 15) perceive and assess the current situation of football clubs on the Islands by examining the interplay between commercial and local interests and institutionalised world society regulations. Drawing on a world society approach formulated by John W. Meyer and by applying the quadrant model developed by Guilianotti and Robertson we identify and discuss three areas of importance to contemporary Faroese club management: the benefits from becoming part of the UEFA and FIFA umbrella; organising club football through multiple tensions; and the significance of being anchored in municipalities. These insights are used to outline potential future policy and research implications.