The FootPol Podcast

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.

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!

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 

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!