Episodes
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FIFA has officially awarded the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, sparking debate among football fans and observers worldwide. In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco take a look at the decision with Aziz Alghashian, a Saudi academic and football enthusiast, and Stephen Cockburn, Deputy Director of Amnesty International.
Aziz shares insights into how hosting the World Cup aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader domestic and international strategies. Stephen highlights concerns about the bidding process and the human rights implications, while also discussing how the tournament could be leveraged to push for positive changes in the region.
Guy and Francesco round out the conversation with their reflections on the politics of World Cups and FIFA's role on the global stage.
The FootPol Podcast will be taking a break after this episode until 6 January when the next episode drops. To all our listeners: have a Happy Holiday Season and New Year! -
This week on the show, Guy is joined by Professor Daniel Memmer, a leading expert from the German Sport Institute in Cologne. Together, they dive deep into the evolving world of football analytics. Daniel sheds light on how cutting-edge technology and new data are revolutionizing the game, from player performance to club strategies.
But it’s not just about the numbers! They explore how these advancements are shifting power dynamics within football—between clubs, players, coaches, and even fans. If you’ve ever wondered how data is shaping the beautiful game on and off the pitch, this episode is for you.
Learn more about Daniel’s work on his profile and through his book, Data Analytics in Football. -
Episodes manquant?
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In this week’s episode, hosts Guy and Francesco sit down with renowned social historian David Kynaston to explore the relationship between football and profound social changes that have shaped Britain since the Second World War. From shifts in class dynamics to cultural transformations, they delve into how these changes have both influenced and been mirrored in the beautiful game.
David is in the middle of writing a series about the history of Britain from 1945 to 1979 called "Tales of a New Jerusalem." His latest volume is A Nothern Wind: Britain 1962-65. He is also the author of Shots in the Dark: A Diary of Saturday Dreams and Strange Times, a memoir of Aldershot Town FC's 2016-17 season and the political developments that took place during the period, including Brexit and Donald Trump's first election. -
20 years ago, Exeter City FC were in debt and at risk of disappearing. Their fans however did not accept losing their beloved club, so they stepped in and saved it against all odds. In this episode co-hosts Francesco and Guy speak to Nick Hawker, Chair of club and supporters trust, about the incredible journey of Exeter City FC. Nick talks about how the club is ran, how fans have a central role in all of the decisions and shares how the clubs has turned into a hive of activities for the local community.
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Co-hosts Guy and Francesco look at the violent incidents surrounding the Ajax vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv match on November 7 and break down the Amsterdam mayor's council report, which outlines the sequence of events. They explore the different narratives that have emerged to frame the violence, from the initial reaction by mainstream media that painted the Israeli fans as victims, to the gradual emergence of their responsibilities in the fighting. Guy and Francesco also look at why Israeli clubs are playing in European competitions and whether the Israeli FA and its clubs may face an international ban.
The Amsterdam mayor's report is available here. -
In this episode, Guy and Francesco tackle the world of e-football—a digital space where traditional sports and gaming intersect, creating unique political and economic challenges. To help them unpack this growing phenomenon, they’re joined by Tsukuba University’s Tsubasa Shinohara. Together, they explore how e-football is more than just a virtual kickabout; it’s a rapidly expanding industry with complex implications for players' image rights, gamer labor conditions, and regulation. As they explore this frontier, Tsubasa answers the questions and challenges that lie at the intersection of sports, technology, and law.
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This week co-hosts Guy and Francesco sit down with Professor Christos Kassimeris, a leading expert on racism in football. Together, they explore the roots and complexities of racism within the sport.
Professor Kassimeris provides valuable insights into the nature and definition of racism, shedding light on how it manifests within football. The conversation delves into the role of anti-racism campaigns and racism online, particularly in social media spaces, where football-related abuse is widespread. Professor Kassimeris shares his ongoing research and the efforts being made to address this pressing issue. -
How did football get to the island of Ireland? And is it a 'foreign' game? In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco are joined by historian James Quinn to dive into the intriguing journey of football on the island of Ireland. Together, they explore whether football is truly a "foreign" game and how it has woven itself into the cultural and political landscape of both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Along the way, James also touches upon Irish football's connection with Scotland, the developments that took place after the Good Friday Agreement and the emerging state of the women's game too.
James's book, No Foreign Game: Association Football and the Making of Irish Identities, is available from Merrion Press. -
Co-hosts Guy and Francesco dive into the world of away fandom, focusing on the experiences of female and LGBTQ+ supporters. Joining them is Penny Miles, a researcher from Bath University, who has been studying the challenges faced by marginalised fans following national football team in Wales (with a bit of Chile!).
Together, they explore the current state of away fandom and the obstacles that these groups encounter. Penny shares her insights on the unique issues female and LGBTQ+ fans face, from safety concerns to the impact of traditional fan culture. She also offers valuable suggestions for how mainstream (predominantly male) fans can create a more inclusive and welcoming atmosphere at matches.
Tune in for an enlightening discussion on how to make football fandom a space for everyone!
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In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco explore the fascinating history of Swiss football with Zurich University's Professor Christian Koller, a Swiss scholar and expert on the subject. Switzerland’s rich linguistic and ethnic diversity, combined with its historic commitment to neutrality, has shaped the nation's football culture in unique ways. Professor Koller delves into the roots of football in Switzerland, the influence of the workers' movement in the 1920s and 1930s, and how both older and more recent migrant communities have impacted the game.
The conversation also highlights key rivalries in Swiss football and takes a closer look at the state of the women’s game in Switzerland, particularly as the country gears up to host the 2025 Women’s Euros. Don’t miss this deep dive into one of Europe’s most diverse and intriguing football landscapes! -
FIFA, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, is the sport institution that controls and regulates the world's most popular game. But how did it become the mega-organisation we know today? In this week's episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco dive deep into the history of FIFA as global football's governing body with historian Luiz Guilherme Burlamaqui and his book, "The Making of a Global FIFA." They explore whether the election of former president Joao Havelange in 1974 was pivotal and its lasting impact on FIFA. The discussion sheds light on Havelange's election strategies and the Brazilian elites' perceptions of themselves and football both nationally and internationally. #FIFA #FootballHistory
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How did football - a game played by upper class gentlemen in Britain - become the world's most popular sport? How did it shift to becoming a game of the workers and the masses? And what social and political impact did the success of the game have? Co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to friend of the pod, Chris Lee, and host of his own podcast and football-related blog, Outside Write.
Chris, who wrote the book Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World, explains how the game became so popular in many parts of the world, describing many of the characters and teams that have contributed to football's journey around the world, and busts some of the myths about the origins of the game. -
Exciting news this week as Football Heritage podcast host Rory Bryce joins Guy and Francesco to discuss the decline and disappearance of football clubs. With several years of experience hosting the Forgotten Football Clubs podcast, Rory shares valuable insights on identifying when a club is in trouble and strategies for recovery.
Rory also sheds light on his involvement in establishing the open-air football museum, Football Square Mile, in Glasgow. Stay tuned for this insightful conversation on the challenges and solutions in the world of football clubs!
#Football #Podcast #Heritage #FootballClubs #Insights
Rory can be found on Twitter/X here and the Football Heritage X account is regularly updated while the podcast is available on Spotify here. -
Welcome back to the second season of the FootPol Podcast! This week, we dive into the latest political news in Football World. FIFA's recent non-decision on suspending Israel for its actions in Gaza and Argentine players facing backlash for racist chants are in the spotlight. Stay tuned as we discuss FIFA's plans to engage skeptical audiences for the expanded Club World Cup. Additionally, we address the controversy surrounding the interim England manager's choice not to sing the British anthem and Real Madrid players' stance against racist abuse. Exciting insights on upcoming episodes await our listeners this season!
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We're back (briefly) from our summer break! Co-hosts Guy and Francesco break down the politics that's making the headlines in the wake of Spain's and Argentina's respective Euro and Copa America wins. They look at what's happened following Rodri's claim that "Gibraltar is Spanish" and the Spanish political right's response to seeing a multiracial team lift the trophy. They also examine the response by Argentina's political leaders to Argentine player Enzo Fernandez's racist and transphobic chanting against the French national team, while Guy offers an insight into Argentina's racial minorities and their treatment. Finally Francesco reports on what might happen at the FIFA Council this weekend, when the question of banning Israel for its genocidal actions in Gaza comes before it.
Unless there is more political happenings in football, this episode will be our last until after the summer break. We'll be back in early September! -
How are nostalgia and melancholia connected to football? And are they 'political'? In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Sheffield Hallam University's Jack Black about the meaning of the popular English football song, "It's Coming Home" and how melancholy and nostalgia are part and parcel of football culture in England and beyond. That sets up a wider discussion about nostalgia in football and its connection to politics, especially those on the far right.
A version of Jack's book chapter, Desire, Drive and the Melancholy of English Football: It's (not) Coming Home," which is discussed in the episode, is available here.
This is our last episode before we take a summer break. We'll be back at the start of September! -
Football plays a central role in many Latin American countries. In this episode, co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk with Jorge Knijnik, Associate Professor at Western Sydney University about his new book, Tales of South American Football: Passion, Revolution and Glory. Jorge provides examples of how the beautiful game is entwined with the continent's politics and society. They include the actions of players like Brazil's Afonsinho and Reinaldo who promoted labour and political rights during the 1970s, Argentine and Chilean fans who are continuing the fight against the dictatorships of the past by demanding restorative justice, and the players and NGOs who challenge partriarchal prejudice against women's football in Bolivia and elsewhere. Jorge also shares his thoughts on the current Copa America taking place in the United States and the impact it might have on American politics.
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What does the general election in the UK mean for football? In this episode, one of the FootPol Podcast's favourite guests, Dr Christina Philippou returns to co-host a discussion on the subject with Mike Baker, director of advocacy at Fair Game. Christina and Mike explain the importance of the election for the future of football in the UK, from the Premier League to grassroots and women's football. The election effectively paused plans for an independent regulator that looked close to being implemented, but Mike explains why the issue will remain on the table and what additional work will need to be done before the regulator becomes a reality.
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Diego Maradona, arguably the greatest talent ever to grace a football pitch, played for several clubs as well as the Argentinian national team. His image, however, is closely tied to the city of Naples and its football club. In the second of this week's double episodes on the politics of Diego Maradona, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Italian sociologist and Napoli fan, Luca Bifulco. Luca explains how Maradona operated in and around the divisions and contradictions present in Italy during the 1980s as well as the political and social factors that have contributed to his 'deification' in Naples. Luca explores how Naples, a southern city, was perceived by Italy's political elites and how Maradona worked on those ideas during his time at the club and especially during Italia 90.
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No other football player has been as popular and yet also divisive as Diego Armando Maradona. Few footballers can claim to have achieved the status of political icon like the Argentinian superstar. In the first of two episodes dedicated to the politics of Maradona, co-hosts Francesco and Guy speak to Mariano Paz, lecturer at the University of Limerick and a scholar who has researched different aspects of the politics of Diego Maradona. Mariano explains how Maradona's iconic nature makes him an 'empty signifier', meaning that people interpret Maradona and his actions in different ways and according to their own views. Despite his political views and friendships with prominent leftist leaders such as Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez in Latin America, Maradona was not a traditional political activist, but remained a prominent and significant political figure. Indeed, this was particularly apparent during the 1986 World Cup, when Maradona led the Argentine team against England, only four years after the end of the Falklands/Las Malvinas War between the two countries.
Mariano is the co-editor of Maradona: A Socio-Cultural Study. - Montre plus
