The FootPol Podcast

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.