The FootPol Podcast
@footpolpodcast.bsky.social
The FootPol Podcast: Where Football Meets Politics.
Episodes out on Monday on all the main podcast platforms. We also link here!
Hosted by Dr Guy Burton and Dr Francesco Belcastro,
https://bsky.app/profile/guyburton.net and @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social
Episodes out on Monday on all the main podcast platforms. We also link here!
Hosted by Dr Guy Burton and Dr Francesco Belcastro,
https://bsky.app/profile/guyburton.net and @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social
Pinned
Why do we queue to worship bricks, banners and old turnstiles? 🏟️
In our new FootPol episode, Felipe Tobar of Clemson University explains how football markets its past — from stadium tours to global branding — and what it reveals about identity and belonging.
🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
In our new FootPol episode, Felipe Tobar of Clemson University explains how football markets its past — from stadium tours to global branding — and what it reveals about identity and belonging.
🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Reposted by The FootPol Podcast
Found the podcast thanks to the FH reshare, great new addition to my listening rotation. Very thought-provoking episode; especially the part about the inclusion of minorities and women's football history in museums. Look forward to going through the Footpol back catalogue ⚽🎧
November 10, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Found the podcast thanks to the FH reshare, great new addition to my listening rotation. Very thought-provoking episode; especially the part about the inclusion of minorities and women's football history in museums. Look forward to going through the Footpol back catalogue ⚽🎧
From last week, buit it prompts a question: could it be a sign of things to come? Could it happen with the world game and in its biggest markets? If so then it would be a counterweight to entities like FIFA and UEFA. www.reuters.com/sports/socce...
Grassroots leagues revive China's soccer dream
An amateur soccer league organised by farmers, students and factory workers in rural China has unexpectedly drawn millions of fans and inspired big cities to form their own, raising hopes China can grow talent from the ground up and finally become a global force.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM
From last week, buit it prompts a question: could it be a sign of things to come? Could it happen with the world game and in its biggest markets? If so then it would be a counterweight to entities like FIFA and UEFA. www.reuters.com/sports/socce...
Why do we queue to worship bricks, banners and old turnstiles? 🏟️
In our new FootPol episode, Felipe Tobar of Clemson University explains how football markets its past — from stadium tours to global branding — and what it reveals about identity and belonging.
🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
In our new FootPol episode, Felipe Tobar of Clemson University explains how football markets its past — from stadium tours to global branding — and what it reveals about identity and belonging.
🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
November 10, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Why do we queue to worship bricks, banners and old turnstiles? 🏟️
In our new FootPol episode, Felipe Tobar of Clemson University explains how football markets its past — from stadium tours to global branding — and what it reveals about identity and belonging.
🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
In our new FootPol episode, Felipe Tobar of Clemson University explains how football markets its past — from stadium tours to global branding — and what it reveals about identity and belonging.
🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Almost as brilliant as the FIFA film, United Passions, which if we recall, wasn't that great an idea either. www.pbs.org/newshour/wor...
FIFA to award new peace prize at World Cup draw in Washington
FIFA has announced the creation of a peace prize, which it plans to award for the first time at the World Cup draw on Dec. 5 in Washington.
www.pbs.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Almost as brilliant as the FIFA film, United Passions, which if we recall, wasn't that great an idea either. www.pbs.org/newshour/wor...
⚽ Football, Climate Change, and Identity 🌍
How the game’s industrial past—from coal and steel to oil—is shaping its sustainable future.
Leslie Mabon discusses football’s role in the global energy transition.
🎧 Listen here → www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #ClimateChange #Sustainability
How the game’s industrial past—from coal and steel to oil—is shaping its sustainable future.
Leslie Mabon discusses football’s role in the global energy transition.
🎧 Listen here → www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #ClimateChange #Sustainability
October 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
⚽ Football, Climate Change, and Identity 🌍
How the game’s industrial past—from coal and steel to oil—is shaping its sustainable future.
Leslie Mabon discusses football’s role in the global energy transition.
🎧 Listen here → www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #ClimateChange #Sustainability
How the game’s industrial past—from coal and steel to oil—is shaping its sustainable future.
Leslie Mabon discusses football’s role in the global energy transition.
🎧 Listen here → www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #ClimateChange #Sustainability
Reposted by The FootPol Podcast
Enjoyed this. I wrote a review of the field about digital fan practices and transnational fandoms in Latin America this summer for an edited volume (not published yet), so fascinating to listen and see comparisons and contrasts in the issues discussed between African and LA fans of European soccer
⚽ New #FootPolPodcast!
Why do millions of Africans back European clubs?
We talk to Dr. Manasseh Chiwesha & Dr. Solomon Waleola about fandom, identity, betting & how African fans made global football their own.
🎧 Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #Africa #Culture
Why do millions of Africans back European clubs?
We talk to Dr. Manasseh Chiwesha & Dr. Solomon Waleola about fandom, identity, betting & how African fans made global football their own.
🎧 Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #Africa #Culture
October 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Enjoyed this. I wrote a review of the field about digital fan practices and transnational fandoms in Latin America this summer for an edited volume (not published yet), so fascinating to listen and see comparisons and contrasts in the issues discussed between African and LA fans of European soccer
⚽ New #FootPolPodcast!
Why do millions of Africans back European clubs?
We talk to Dr. Manasseh Chiwesha & Dr. Solomon Waleola about fandom, identity, betting & how African fans made global football their own.
🎧 Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #Africa #Culture
Why do millions of Africans back European clubs?
We talk to Dr. Manasseh Chiwesha & Dr. Solomon Waleola about fandom, identity, betting & how African fans made global football their own.
🎧 Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #Africa #Culture
October 13, 2025 at 8:58 AM
⚽ New #FootPolPodcast!
Why do millions of Africans back European clubs?
We talk to Dr. Manasseh Chiwesha & Dr. Solomon Waleola about fandom, identity, betting & how African fans made global football their own.
🎧 Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #Africa #Culture
Why do millions of Africans back European clubs?
We talk to Dr. Manasseh Chiwesha & Dr. Solomon Waleola about fandom, identity, betting & how African fans made global football their own.
🎧 Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #Africa #Culture
🌈⚽ New FootPol Podcast: Pride in the Game 🎙️
We talk to Rory Magrath about LGBTQ+ culture in football — why the men’s game lagged, how the women’s game led, and what’s changing now.
🎧 Listen here 👉 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #LGBTQ #Inclusion
We talk to Rory Magrath about LGBTQ+ culture in football — why the men’s game lagged, how the women’s game led, and what’s changing now.
🎧 Listen here 👉 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #LGBTQ #Inclusion
September 29, 2025 at 9:02 AM
🌈⚽ New FootPol Podcast: Pride in the Game 🎙️
We talk to Rory Magrath about LGBTQ+ culture in football — why the men’s game lagged, how the women’s game led, and what’s changing now.
🎧 Listen here 👉 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #LGBTQ #Inclusion
We talk to Rory Magrath about LGBTQ+ culture in football — why the men’s game lagged, how the women’s game led, and what’s changing now.
🎧 Listen here 👉 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
#Football #LGBTQ #Inclusion
FIFA’s Infantino backed Trump's comeback, even struck up a “bromance.” Now Trump’s muscling into his turf. Be careful what you wish for? www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...
President Trump suggests moving 2026 World Cup games from cities he deems unsafe
“If I think it’s not safe, we’re going to move it out of that city,” Trump said. It's unclear if he actually could do so.
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM
FIFA’s Infantino backed Trump's comeback, even struck up a “bromance.” Now Trump’s muscling into his turf. Be careful what you wish for? www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...
We’re back! Season 3 of the FootPol Podcast kicks off: new format, new guests & Football Land’s summer politics—Gaza protests, women’s football struggles, FIFA & Saudi at the Club World Cup &CONCACAF Gold Cup. Subscribe, share & send us your best (and worst) ideas. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
September 15, 2025 at 7:59 AM
We’re back! Season 3 of the FootPol Podcast kicks off: new format, new guests & Football Land’s summer politics—Gaza protests, women’s football struggles, FIFA & Saudi at the Club World Cup &CONCACAF Gold Cup. Subscribe, share & send us your best (and worst) ideas. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
FootPol Podcast is back next week with Season 3! First ep drops Monday: what’s ahead, who’s joining, + a summer recap from Football Land. New AI-made poster too—spectacular, slightly unhinged, and proof you should hire people, not computers. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/
September 12, 2025 at 7:24 AM
FootPol Podcast is back next week with Season 3! First ep drops Monday: what’s ahead, who’s joining, + a summer recap from Football Land. New AI-made poster too—spectacular, slightly unhinged, and proof you should hire people, not computers. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/
It's England v Spain in the Women's Euros final this weekend! Why not prepare by listening to our episodes on the politics around the women's game in both countries before the final?
England: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Spain: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
England: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Spain: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
July 24, 2025 at 9:08 AM
It's England v Spain in the Women's Euros final this weekend! Why not prepare by listening to our episodes on the politics around the women's game in both countries before the final?
England: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Spain: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
England: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Spain: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Last week one of our hosts (Guy) was interviewed by @johnduerden.bsky.social for his DW article about football in the DR Congo. Guy talked about the need for a peace deal, especially for the country's east. But there are other voices worth reading as well. Have a look! www.dw.com/en/prospects...
July 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Last week one of our hosts (Guy) was interviewed by @johnduerden.bsky.social for his DW article about football in the DR Congo. Guy talked about the need for a peace deal, especially for the country's east. But there are other voices worth reading as well. Have a look! www.dw.com/en/prospects...
Disasppointing. Would be good to know how many GHG emissions this produced and what these clubs are doing - if anything - to offset them. Thoughts @ljmabon.bsky.social? www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Taking flight: how Premier League clubs are racking up 175,000 summer air miles
All 20 teams are jetting around between league seasons, including for friendlies, training camps and the Club World Cup
www.theguardian.com
July 12, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Disasppointing. Would be good to know how many GHG emissions this produced and what these clubs are doing - if anything - to offset them. Thoughts @ljmabon.bsky.social? www.theguardian.com/football/202...
One of us (Guy) broke his family holiday in Greece this week to share the news about the podcast's 10,000th download. Which reminded him: if you haven't already listened to our episode on Greek football and politic , now's your chance! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
The Drama of Greek Football ft. Theofilos Pouliopoulos - The FootPol Podcast
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 h...
www.buzzsprout.com
July 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
One of us (Guy) broke his family holiday in Greece this week to share the news about the podcast's 10,000th download. Which reminded him: if you haven't already listened to our episode on Greek football and politic , now's your chance! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
We passed a milestone this week: 10,000 downloads. Thta's 10,000 times that you opened up your phone or computer and listened to an episode by us. We can't thank you enough and hope that you will continue to keep listening when we return for Season 3!
fireworks are displayed over a soccer field with a banner that says " a tribute to those who died "
ALT: fireworks are displayed over a soccer field with a banner that says " a tribute to those who died "
media.tenor.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:26 PM
We passed a milestone this week: 10,000 downloads. Thta's 10,000 times that you opened up your phone or computer and listened to an episode by us. We can't thank you enough and hope that you will continue to keep listening when we return for Season 3!
Finally we have a regulator in English football, although the feeling is that its remit won't be nearly as comprehensive as it could or should be and that it should have been in place a lot sooner. To this we say: at least it's now here. Now let's make it work! www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
Football Governance Bill: MPs vote to make Bill law
MPs vote to back the Football Governance Bill and establish an independent regulator to oversee the men's game in England's top five divisions.
www.bbc.com
July 9, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Finally we have a regulator in English football, although the feeling is that its remit won't be nearly as comprehensive as it could or should be and that it should have been in place a lot sooner. To this we say: at least it's now here. Now let's make it work! www.bbc.com/sport/footba...
That's it! Our last episode for the 2024-25 season is done! Hosts @guyburton.net and @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social review the episodes and the themes that came up within them. We also take a look at what to expect when we return in September. Thanks for listening! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
July 7, 2025 at 8:08 AM
That's it! Our last episode for the 2024-25 season is done! Hosts @guyburton.net and @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social review the episodes and the themes that came up within them. We also take a look at what to expect when we return in September. Thanks for listening! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Co-host @guyburton.net has just seen his first women's match at the Women's Euros in Geneva. Very different crowd from the usual masked ultras waving flares at Servette games during the season.
July 4, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Co-host @guyburton.net has just seen his first women's match at the Women's Euros in Geneva. Very different crowd from the usual masked ultras waving flares at Servette games during the season.
Many of our episodes look at the tensions that "modern football" presents to different groups, like fans. Yet this documentary, made a year afer the 1990 World Cup, shows what the football experience was like for many of them. It's striking how unwelcoming it was. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSO-...
Kevin Allen's World Cup Video Diary. (Italia 90)
YouTube video by Gary Thompson
www.youtube.com
June 30, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Many of our episodes look at the tensions that "modern football" presents to different groups, like fans. Yet this documentary, made a year afer the 1990 World Cup, shows what the football experience was like for many of them. It's striking how unwelcoming it was. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSO-...
Our latest episode is out! Hosts @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and @guyburton.net look at several current conflicts, in Gaza, Sudan, DR Congo and Iran, to see what impact they're having on football, including on their national teams and fans. Do listen. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
June 30, 2025 at 9:13 AM
Our latest episode is out! Hosts @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and @guyburton.net look at several current conflicts, in Gaza, Sudan, DR Congo and Iran, to see what impact they're having on football, including on their national teams and fans. Do listen. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
Reposted by The FootPol Podcast
As usual, a good and engaging listen on my woodland walk today
Our new episode is out! We spoke to @joshbland13.bsky.social about the relationship between football and working class fans. He's got fascinating insights into how fans see themselves and navigate the challenges of coprorate, consumerist football in England today. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
June 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
As usual, a good and engaging listen on my woodland walk today
When you've listened to our latest podcast on modern day class and football with @joshbland13.bsky.social, why not also check out this video on YouTube about football used to be in England back in the "old days". Fascinating to compare and contrast with the present! www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9eQ...
Look at Life Vol 4 Sport Saturday Fever
YouTube video by PauliosVids
www.youtube.com
June 23, 2025 at 11:39 AM
When you've listened to our latest podcast on modern day class and football with @joshbland13.bsky.social, why not also check out this video on YouTube about football used to be in England back in the "old days". Fascinating to compare and contrast with the present! www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9eQ...
Reposted by The FootPol Podcast
What a pleasure to join the guys on the FootPol podcast to chat football and class!
It was a great conversation that talked a little about my research, and a lot about the tensions between English football’s class identity and corporate direction…
It was a great conversation that talked a little about my research, and a lot about the tensions between English football’s class identity and corporate direction…
Our new episode is out! We spoke to @joshbland13.bsky.social about the relationship between football and working class fans. He's got fascinating insights into how fans see themselves and navigate the challenges of coprorate, consumerist football in England today. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
June 23, 2025 at 11:20 AM
What a pleasure to join the guys on the FootPol podcast to chat football and class!
It was a great conversation that talked a little about my research, and a lot about the tensions between English football’s class identity and corporate direction…
It was a great conversation that talked a little about my research, and a lot about the tensions between English football’s class identity and corporate direction…
Our new episode is out! We spoke to @joshbland13.bsky.social about the relationship between football and working class fans. He's got fascinating insights into how fans see themselves and navigate the challenges of coprorate, consumerist football in England today. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...
June 23, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Our new episode is out! We spoke to @joshbland13.bsky.social about the relationship between football and working class fans. He's got fascinating insights into how fans see themselves and navigate the challenges of coprorate, consumerist football in England today. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...