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PODCAST

The FootPol Podcast

Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton

The podcast that brings together football and politics. We"ll be exploring the relationship between the two, both inside and outside the game.The podcast covers "Big Politics" like politicians, clubs, international and national federations and other organised groups and how they use or abuse the game to "Small, Everyday Politics" in the form of community-level clubs, fan associations and the way that football reflects the political challenges of our day to day lives.The FootPol Podcast is brought to

sports soccer

All Episodes

60:52

Kicking Down Barriers: Building Inclusivity through...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/03/31

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 re...

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35:39

Flying the Flag: The women who played football abroad...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/03/24

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 p...

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34:41

The Politics of FIFA's 2030 World Cup ft. Leslie Mabon

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/03/17

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...

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40:10

The Drama of Greek Football ft. Theofilos Pouliopoulos

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/03/10

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 conve...

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49:53

Are football styles and tactics political? ft....

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/03/03

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 significa...

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39:02

The German Football Model: Politics, Fans, and the...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/02/24

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 de...

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43:21

Football's new home? The beautiful game in the Gulf...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/02/17

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 ...

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40:35

Playing for equality: Lewes FC ft. Joe Short

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/02/10

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 envi...

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39:45

The Beautiful Game in Troubled Times: Iraq’s Football...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/02/03

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 n...

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41:14

The Dragon's kick: Football and Politics in Hong Kong...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/01/27

This week, co-hosts Guy and Francesco dive into the fascinating history of football in Hong Kong and mainland China with Chun Wing Lee, lecturer at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Together, they trace the game’s journey from its colonial beginnings to the rise and fall of Hong Kong’s professional league. Chun Wing sheds light on how football became a tool for political agendas, wielded by both Chinese Communists and Nationalists, and its role post-1997 under Beijing’s rule.The episode also ...

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34:50

Socialist soccer? The beautiful game in the USSR and...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/01/20

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 Sovi...

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52:46

Two Koreas, Two Goals: The Politics of Football ft....

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/01/12

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 ...

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28:47

What may be football's political battegrounds in 2025?

The FootPol Podcast ·

2025/01/06

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 fo...

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45:46

FIFA's 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia ft. Aziz...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2024/12/16

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 p...

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35:13

The Politics of Data in Football ft. Daniel Memmert

The FootPol Podcast ·

2024/12/09

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...

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44:48

British history, social changes and football ft....

The FootPol Podcast ·

2024/12/02

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 ...

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33:25

Power to the fans. The Exeter City FC story

The FootPol Podcast ·

2024/11/25

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...

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37:02

FootPol's special: Amsterdam's long night.

The FootPol Podcast ·

2024/11/18

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 ar...

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38:30

What is e-football and how is it political? ft....

The FootPol Podcast ·

2024/11/11

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 th...

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57:09

Can Racism Be Kicked Out of Football? ft. Christos...

The FootPol Podcast ·

2024/11/04

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...

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93 results

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