World Football

Why is one of the most famous clubs in European football, Steaua Bucharest, being torn apart? We speak to the controversial Gigi Becali. Watford's Isaac Success talks about reports that his injuries this season are due to a voodoo curse. And what is it like to be one of the worst teams in the world? We travel to the Turks and Caicos islands to find out.

(Photo: FC Steaua Bucuresti supporters during the Uefa Europa League group stage march. Credit: Andrei Pungovschi/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

World Cup winner Juninho reflects on Brazil's qualification for Russia 2018. Also on the show, the Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi defends his manager Arsene Wenger. And we hear from Japan's record-breaking striker, the 50 year old Kazuyoshi Miura.

(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Khalida Popal, standing up to the Taliban

Former Afghanistan women's team captain Khalida Popal grew up in a nation under Taliban rule where women were banned from playing any form of sport. She learned to play silently with friends to avoid detection, played on pitches once used for public executions and suffered physical and verbal abuse. Khalida fled her country, years later, and with her playing career now over she looks back on her life and tells us of her dream to one day return home as head of their FA.

Bon soire Napoleon, the life of Raymond Kopa

Raymond Kopa died earlier this month at the age of 85. He was the first French player to win the Ballon D'or and finished in the top three on a total of four occasions.

He was the first player to boast a commercial interest, (his own sportswear brand), something no player would be without today. He was also one of the founding fathers of the first players union.

Nicknamed 'The Little Napoleon', he was part of the Real Madrid side that dominated the 50s, he also played for Stade de Reims in the first ever European Cup final.

We hear Kopa's only BBC World Service interview and Reims Sporting Director Alexandre Barbier pays tribute.

Alessandro Costacurta interview

The former Italy and AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta looks back on his time playing alongside Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi.

Arguably the most dominant defence of all time, he says the team 'choked' their opponents into submission and blames Milan's recent problems on the absence of a 'teacher' like Baresi or Maldini.

He also claims Milan's owner is 'too old' to take the team back to the top and admits Inter Milan are the more likely of the two teams to challenge for Serie A titles in the near future.

A night on the tiles with Kosovo

James Montague reports from Kosovo where the national team coach Albert Bunjaki staged a flash mob at a classical music concert to stir up national pride amongst his players.

Kosovo are hoping to record their first ever competitive win when they face Iceland this weekend.

We also hear from Manchester City and Kosovo player Bersant Celina who recently jumped into the crowd to tear down a 'Kosovo is Serbia' banner at an FC Twente match (he's on loan there).

The tragedy of Justin Fashanu

Leroy Rosenior played with Justin Fashanu at West Ham, he looks back on their time at the club and examines how close (or far away) football is from convincing gay players they are safe to come out whilst continuing their careers.

He also tells us how Fashanu's suicide changed his life.

For the first time in three decades, African football has a new President. We hear reaction to the “sweet victory” of 57-year-old Madagascan Ahmad, who goes by that single name.

In March 2017, 24-year-old Mohamed Tauseef died of kidney failure and blood sugar complications that were the result of a common, ligament injury sustained while playing for his national team. He was the second Pakistani footballer to die in a matter of weeks. So why are Pakistani players dying when their injuries can be treated?

Meet the Muslim coach of a Jewish club. Former Mali international Sami Traore has taken over French amateur club Maccabi Creteil.

The fall and rise of Ljubo Milisevic. The former Australia international tells us how he fell into isolating depression from the heights of the Champions League and his national team, and how he’s returned to football, a more fulfilled man.

(Photo: Ahmad with a football, Credit: Getty Images)

Should fans at next year's World Cup be fearful of hooliganism? We get a Russian view of fan violence. And, why are fans in Atlanta so excited about their brand new soccer team? We're joined by Atlanta United's President Darren Eales.

(Photo: Russian riot police. Credit: Getty images)

Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony explains why he refused a move to China. Find out about Tanzania's biggest club match...but be warned, when city rivals Simba and Yanga meet, things can get a bit crazy! And discover how Besiktas supporters are recovering and finding togetherness through football following last year's bomb attack.

Picture: Wilfred Bony of Manchester City celebrates scoring against Borussia Monchengladbach (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Chile international Mark González talks about his close friend and team-mate Alexis Sanchez. We meet the owner of the Israeli Champions Hapeol Be'er Sheva to find out why the club's fans think she's the new Messiah. And the former referee Kim Milton Nielsen discusses the extreme pressures faced by today's match officals.

Picture: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates after he scores the equalizing goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match against FC Bayern Muenchen (Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Cameroon coach Hugo Broos reflects on his victory at the Africa Cup of Nations. Dirk Kuyt and Brad Jones talk about Feyenoord's title hopes. And we examine hooliganism in Brazil.

(Photo: Cameroon's Belgian coach Hugo Broos is lifted into the air as Cameroon celebrates beating Egypt 2-1 at 2017 AFCON final. Credit: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)

The shocking story of Kenyan footballer called Clifton Miheso. He claims to have been threatened at gunpoint by his club and forced to terminate his contract. Also on the show, the Cameroon defender Allan Nyom tells us he has no regrets about choosing not to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations. And the former Brazil midfielder Edu will be chatting about Manchester City's new striker...Gabriel Jesus.

Picture credit: Mohammad Amin

A look ahead to the final of this year's Africa Cup of Nations between Egypt and Cameroon. We hear from Cameroon’s Geremi and Zambia’s Kalusha Bwalya. Also on the show, the former South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena warns that World Cup expansion could lead to African teams embarrassing themselves. And the former Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Zaire, Ghana, Togo and Cameroon coach, Otto Pfister, tells us how African talent is being killed by European academies.