Afleveringen
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This week, Francesco switches seats—co-hosting and guesting—as he and Guy dive into a lively discussion about football in and from the Middle East, inspired by a brand-new report from the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-sectarianisation (SEPAD) Project at Lancaster University.
Francesco is joined by fellow co-editor Javier Bordon, along with SEPAD directors Simon Mabon and Edward Wastnidge, for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the Gulf states' rising influence in global football (especially Saudi Arabia and Qatar), identity and politics through the lens of the pitch - from Syria to Islam - and the role of fans, ultras, and diasporas, including Kurds in Sweden, Algerians in France and women in Iran.
Whether you’re into geopolitics, grassroots fandom, or just want to understand how the region is reshaping the global game, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. You can also check out the report on SEPAD's website here.
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In this episode, Guy and Francesco welcome back friend of the pod Miguel Lourenço Pereira to talk about his new book Pasión: A Journey to the Soul of Spanish Football (out 21 April from Pitch Publishing).
Together, they dive into the political, cultural, and social undercurrents that have shaped Spanish football—from Franco’s regime using the sport as soft propaganda to the democratic era’s subtler, but still strategic, engagement with the game.
They explore how ownership models shifted in the late 1980s and early 1990s and what that meant for the sport's structure and soul. Miguel also sheds light on the role of national and regional identities in shaping clubs, fan bases, and rivalries, as well as the impact of demographic change—from inland depopulation to coastal booms, and the rise of second-generation stars like Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal.
It’s a deep, passionate look at how fútbol reflects and refracts the story of modern Spain.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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This week, Guy and Francesco are joined by Sean McCabe, Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability at Bohemian FC - a member-owned football club since 1890 with a mission that goes far beyond the pitch.
As the world’s first Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability in football, Sean shares how Bohemians are tackling the climate crisis through a justice-centered approach that puts the local community first. Sean also discusses other campaigns and activity carried out by this exceptional club.
If you're inspired to get involved, check out Bohemian FC's website and consider joining the club. And if you're already a fan elsewhere, Sean has a message: push your club to do better.
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This week Guy and Francesco discuss football activism with Charl Galloway, a consultant specializing in women's football and inclusive sports spaces. As chairperson of Cardiff Dragons FC, co-founder of the Women's Football Collective, and a key player in bringing the LGBTQ+ EuroGames to Cardiff in 2027, Charl shares their insights on making the game more inclusive.
From the Dragons' commitment to diversity to the broader challenges minorities face in football and society, Charl unpacks the realities of representation, access, and allyship. Tune in to explore the often-overlooked aspects of football and discover what we can all do to level the playing field.
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This week Carrie Dunn, a journalist, academic and good friend of the podcast talks to Francesco and Guy about her latest book,'Flying the Flag.' Carrie explains why British female players moved abroad to pursue their footballing dreams and the various challenges they have faced over time to do this, from the amateur era of the past to today's professional one. She also gives a brief preview of the upcoming Women Euros in Switzerland which takes place this summer.
Carrie's book will be published in June, but is available for pre-order from all main websites.
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Why did FIFA award the 2030 World Cup to six countries across three continents—Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco? What political calculations shaped this unprecedented decision? And how prepared are these nations to host an expanded tournament?
In this companion episode to their recent discussion on the 2034 World Cup, Guy and Francesco break down the political and logistical challenges of the 2030 edition. They explore Morocco’s hosting ambitions against the backdrop of high youth unemployment and its ongoing occupation of Western Sahara. Plus, they’re joined by Dr Leslie Mabon from the Open University to examine the environmental criticisms of FIFA’s plan and whether sustainability concerns can be addressed.
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This week, Guy speaks with Theofilos Pouliopoulos, a project manager and sports consultant with deep expertise in Greek football. Theo unpacks the social origins of Greece’s football clubs and how politics has shaped the game—from the 1967-74 dictatorship to democracy and the post-financial crisis era. He explains why the Greek government intervened in football governance, leading to tensions with UEFA and FIFA and the absence of a legacy following Greece's 2004 Euros victory. The conversation also delves into race, Greece’s shifting demographics, and the evolving landscape of women’s football in the country.
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This week, Guy and Francesco sit down with football author and journalist Jonathan Wilson—Guardian columnist, Football Weekly contributor, editor of The Blizzard, and co-host of It Was What It Was. They discuss his acclaimed book, Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics, exploring how tactical evolution is shaped by the political cultures they emerge from. They also discuss the idea of national styles of play, the impact of globalization on football, and the political significance of fanzines—where Jonathan first began his football writing journey.
Jonathan also has a new SubStack, Wilson's World, which explores more about football and football history.
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In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Danyel Reiche of Georgetown University Qatar about the German football model and more broadly about the relationship between football and politics in the country. Danyel discusses the 50+1 rule of ownership and how it influences the relationship between fans and clubs along with the exceptions that are Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, as well as the role of the national football team as a source of national unity along with the development of the women's game in the country.
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How is football being used as a tool of power and influence in the Gulf? This week, Guy and Francesco sit down with Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a scholar at Rice University and expert on the region, to unpack the strategic playbook behind Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE’s deep dive into the beautiful game.
Kristian explains how these states leverage football not just for global prestige but as part of their long-term efforts to diversify their economies beyond oil and gas. From the legacy of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision for the sport’s future, we explore what these moves mean for football fans and geopolitics alike.
Plus, we discuss Kristian’s upcoming book, The Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer, coming this August from Hurst—available for pre-order now!
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This week, co-hosts Guy and Francesco sit down with Joe Short, a director at Lewes FC, to explore what makes this fan-owned club truly unique. Lewes FC is known not just for its community-driven ethos but also for its groundbreaking commitment to gender equality—allocating equal budgets to both its men's and women's teams.
Joe shares insights into the club’s broader mission, from advocating for equal prize money in football to taking a stand against gambling sponsorships and prioritizing environmental sustainability.
After listening, why not join Francesco for a match at the iconic Dripping Pan ground and experience Lewes FC’s values in action?
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This week co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk to Hassanane Balal, host and founder of the Iraqi Football Podcast. Hassanane explains how sport and politics are closely connected in the football-mad country, and in particular how football provided unity and hope during Iraq's darker days. Hassanane points to Iraq winning the Asian championship in 2007 as a key moment and discusses the role and impact of foreign-born Iraqi players alongside Iraq's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. One not to miss!
Once you've listened to this episode, check out the Iraq Football Podcast as well.
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This week Guy and Francesco talk to Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Chun Wing Lee about the game in Hong Kong and China. Wing Lee recounts how the game got started, first in Hong Kong and then southern China and how Hong Kong became the powerhouse of Asian football in the 1960s and 1970s with the continent’s first professional league. He then brings developments up to date, explaining why Hong Kong’s football is in decline and the challenges that the professional game faces both there and in China. Finally he offers insights into the state of the women’s game as well as the culture of fandom in China and Hong Kong, including transnational support for English and other European teams.
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This week co-hosts Guy and Francesco sit down with Yacov Zohn, a PhD candidate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, to explore the fascinating history of football during the Soviet era and its evolution in post-Soviet Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia. Yacov talks about how Soviet football reflected the centralisation of power in Moscow under the party-state, the impact of political and economic shifts under leaders like Stalin and Khrushchev on the game, and the continuities between the Soviet and post-Soviet periods, including the influence of oligarchic power on football clubs in the region.
Join us for an engaging discussion that connects politics, history, and sport, shedding light on how the legacy of the Soviet Union continues to shape football in these successor states.
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This week, Guy and Francesco are joined by Jung-Woo Lee from Edinburgh University to explore the fascinating intersection of football and politics in North and South Korea. Among the subjects covered in the episode include: the origins of football on the Korean peninsula and how it evolved in the North and South; the role of football in shaping national and political identities, including the communist regime's promotion of its teams in the North and the significance of the 2002 World Cup in the South; and insights into Korean football migration—how it compares to other migrant journeys and its broader implications.
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Co-hosts Guy and Francesco reflect on the political stories that shaped football in 2024 and those likely to dominate 2025. Francesco highlights the Israel–Gaza war and its impact on football, as well as the ambivalence of sporting bodies to sanction Israel. Guy suggests football’s environmental footprint, citing the controversial decisions to host the 2030 World Cup across three continents and the 2034 tournament in oil-rich Saudi Arabia.
Looking ahead, they discuss the politically charged football events that may define 2025, including the Women’s Euros, the Manchester City vs. Premier League legal ruling, FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, and the A22 Group’s push to create a European Super League as an alternative to the Champions League.
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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. -
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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