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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! -
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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. -
We're about to enter what has been dubbed the 'Summer of Sport' given the number of high-profile events taking place, from the Euros to the Olympics and the Copa America. Football will therefore be at the forefront of many people's minds and to explore this, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Nicola Sbetti, historian of sport at the University of Bologna in Italy about what this could mean politically. Nicola explains what the main political themes will be at these tournaments, as well as providing an overview of the historical relevance of major tournaments in relation to sport and politics.
Nicola hosts the 'La storia dello sport a gamba tesa' YouTube page (in Italian). -
Ukraine is a country with a long and rich football tradition. Yet football, like all aspects of life, have been deeply affected by the Russian aggression against the country. In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Olga Ruzhelnyk, a Ukrainian researcher at the Institut des sciences sociales du politique in Paris. Olga explains how football is an important aspect of the recent history of the country, from they way football clubs and ultra groups have been political actors to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and occupation of Crimea and the impact it has had on football clubs, fans and ultra groups.
Olga's article, "Annexés et déplacés : les clubs de football ukrainiens de Crimée et du Donbass depuis 2014," which is mentioned in the episode, is available here. Her book chapter, "Ukraine," which provides a historical account of football in her country, was published in The Palgrave International Handbook of Football and Politics and can be accessed here. -
Football clubs often represents different identities: local, political, ethnic and sectarian. Deportivo Palestino, a football club in Chile, is distinct in the way its representation of Palestinian identity. In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Siri Schwabe, associate professor of Anthropology at University of Copenhagen, and Jose Nabzo, press and media officer at Deportivo Palestino and life-long club supporter.
Siri explains the origin of the club and reflects on her experience of attending Palestino matches. Jose describes how Deportivo Palestino has served as a point of reference of the Palestinian community in Chile as well as serving as a symbol of Palestinian identity in both Chile and the wider world.
Siri's academic article on Deporte Palestino [behind the paywall] is available here. -
The impact of climate change on football has frequently been in the news in recent years. The relationship between the beautiful game and the environment is however complex and multi-faceted as explained by today's guest, Dr Leslie Mabon. Leslie, a lecturer in environmental systems at the Open University, explains to co-hosts Guy and Francesco how the impact of climate change on football is more pervasive than it is often discussed, but also highlights how the football world and fans in particular are mobilising to promote a more sustainable and environmental friendly. Leslie also explains how the impact of climate change affects clubs and players playing at higher and lower levels in different ways, as well as its specific effects on the women's game.
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Amidst the ongoing Israeli attack on Gaza, football might seem a secondary and even irrelevant aspect. Yet football offers a ghastly testimony of the destruction caused by the Israeli attack on Gaza, as well as the dynamics of occupation of Palestinian territory by the Israeli state.
In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to journalist Karim Zidan and academic Kat Pijetlovic. Karim explains the impact of Israel’s occupation on the Palestinians’ ability to play football, as well as devastating impact of Israel’s war on Gazan football. Katarina, one of the initiators of the petition to exclude Israel from sport hosted by DiEM25, explains why sport and the sport boycott represent a key symbolic struggle for supporters of the Palestinian cause.
The petition, "Suspend Israel from international sports," can be accessed and signed at DiEM25 here.
Karim's Sports Politika SubStack newsletter is available here. -
Mental health is a growing issue in football but suffers from being seen as a taboo subject. Co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to writer Johnnie Lowery who has published a new book, Match Fit, looking at how mental health affects footballers and fans, why it's been overlooked and what's being done to overcome it. As well as highlighting key moments that can affect players' mental health--as a young player starting out, approaching retirement or suffering a bad injury--Johnnie also points to successful efforts to break down the barriers discouraging acknowledgement and discussion around the issue, from Our Game to Talking Cherries, Beder FC and the Chris Mitchell Foundation.
Match Fit is published by Pitch Publishing and is available to buy here. -
Football has a gambling problem. In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to award winning investigative journalist Steve Menary about the growth of gambling in the sport, from the football clubs who take the industry's money to the ways that betting companies are encouraging people to bet. Steve also talks about the grey world in which many of these companies operate, acquiring a license in one country to enable them to operate in another country where betting is illegal as well as the authorities' willingness to turn a blind eye. The co-hosts and Steve also discuss the UK government's proposed review of gambling and whether it will make any difference at all.
For those interested to learn more, some of Steve's reporting can be read in more detail at Play the Game. -
Brazilian football is famous for its noisy and passionate supporters. But Brazilian football fans are not only passionate, they also have a long tradition of political activism. In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Luisa Turbino Torres, assistant professor at Florida Atlantic University, whose research looks at fan activism, gender and society in Brazil. Luisa talks about fans' activism and particularly the role of female and LGBTQ+ supporters in Brazil, with particular reference to women's groups around Bahia, Gremio, Clube Atletico Mineiro and Santa Cruz and explains how different groups have challenged the traditional view of stadiums as male dominated spaces. She highlights the role of social media in helping organise female fans' activism and their participation in the protests against the previous Bolsonaro government.
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How much does the geography and politics of a country influence the development of its football culture? In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to journalist Miguel Lourenço Pereira about football and politics in one of Europe's most fascinating countries, Portugal. Miguel is the author of several books including the recent "Bring me that horizon. A journey through the soul of Portuguese football". He explains how the history of Portuguese football is closely connected to the country's history and geography. Miguel also discusses the central role of the "big three" Portuguese clubs, the contribution of Africa and Brazil, Cristiano Ronaldo and Eusebio, the experience of the Portuguese diaspora and the position of Portugal in the current global football markets.
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What makes modern football political? And what is the role of football in civil society? In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Cas Mudde, political scientist, football fan and enthusiastic groundhopper. Cas points to various developments taking place in modern football, from stadia as political arenas for both fans and the authorities around them, whether footballing or government. He notes the presence of illiberal regimes, including the growth of surveillance in and around grounds to footballing authorities' embrace of intolerant governments as well as the efforts made by fans to push back.
Cas also touches on his own experience as a podcaster and the insights he has gained from speaking to different voices in the football community as well as his undergraduate "Soccer and Politics" course, which he teaches at the University of Georgia in Athens.
Cas's RADIKAAL podcast episodes can be found here. Cas's Guardian op-ed that he mentions in the episode is available here. -
How entwined is football and politics in Thailand? Guy and Francesco talk to Thai scholar Arjin Thongyuukong and UK journalist Matt Riley about the origins and development of the game in Thailand. Matt and Arjin discuss the rise of the national league and the presence of politicians like Thaksin Shinawatra and Newin Chidchob as football club owners. Meanwhile, Thai society has undergone dramatic change in recent decades, resulting in the emergence of a new lower-middle class enthusiastic about football and demanding greater political representation. In addition, the guests also discuss the state and development of the women's and youth games in Thailand as well as the international connections made by Thai football.
Arjin Thongyookong is a doctoral student at Loughborough University in the UK and a lecturer in the Faculty of Athropology and Sociology at Thammasat University in Bangkok.
Matt Riley has commented on Thai football for the Asia-wide Fox Sports Central and is the author of Thai Football Tales. -
Footballers are global icons, and Mo Salah is probably the most famous Arab and Muslim one today. But does Salah's popularity affect the way that Muslims (and Arabs) are perceived? Guy and Francesco speak to Salma Mousa, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UCLA about the 'Salah effect': how hate crimes in Liverpool and anti-Muslim tweets by Liverpool fans fell after Salah joined the club. Salma also talks about her work in Iraq to measure the effectiveness and limits of football as a tool to bring together Muslim and Christian communities. Salma also gives the FootPol Podcast its first world exclusive by sharing the result of her latest study that examines players' popularity, combining data from fantasy football!
Salma's co-authored article on the 'Salah effect' is available here and her study of Christian-Muslim integration in Iraq can be read here. -
In this brand new bonus edition format, Guy and Francesco explore topical issues around football that have a political dimension with the help of an expert. In this episode, Alex Ireland, football writer and football kits connoisseur, talks about England's new football shirt. Nike's decision to put a multi-coloured St George's cross - the symbol on the English flag - has created a lot of discussion and led to calls to restore the traditional colours. Alex explains why this has happened, what's behind the politicians' comments and whether there have been similar outbursts both in relation to previous England shirts as well as those of other national football teams.
Alex is the author of Pretty Poly: The History of the Football Shirt which is available here. Alex previously appeared on the FootPol Podcast, talking about football kits and his book in November 2023. The episode is available here. - Se mer