Russell Holden
@russinthezone.bsky.social
Author. Researcher, Lecturer, Mentor and Broadcaster on issues where Sport and Politics overlap. Cricket, Jazz and dog lover.
Reposted by Russell Holden
Hundreds of people are protesting in Milan against the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Winter Olympics. [📸: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters]
February 6, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Hundreds of people are protesting in Milan against the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Winter Olympics. [📸: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters]
Have all forgotten Andy Burnham?
February 5, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Have all forgotten Andy Burnham?
Congratulations Bodo Glimt. Thanks for bringing some romance into football. #ChampionsLeague #AthleticoMadrid
January 28, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Congratulations Bodo Glimt. Thanks for bringing some romance into football. #ChampionsLeague #AthleticoMadrid
Reposted by Russell Holden
This is excellent and well worth a read, especially if you work in a university: www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
AI is Destroying the University and Learning Itself
Students use AI to write papers, professors use AI to grade them, degrees become meaningless, and tech companies make fortunes. Welcome to the death of higher education.
www.currentaffairs.org
January 24, 2026 at 11:15 AM
This is excellent and well worth a read, especially if you work in a university: www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
Reposted by Russell Holden
On the subject of World Cup boycotts, this is a story which ought to be much better known: why African countries decided not to compete for a place at the 1966 tournament. One of Fifa's most shameful moments, which hardly ever gets a mention.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-a...
How Africa boycotted the 1966 World Cup
The BBC's Piers Edwards explains the little-known story behind the African boycott to the 1966 World Cup, the only World Cup in history to have been snubbed by an entire continent.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 20, 2026 at 11:46 AM
On the subject of World Cup boycotts, this is a story which ought to be much better known: why African countries decided not to compete for a place at the 1966 tournament. One of Fifa's most shameful moments, which hardly ever gets a mention.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-a...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-a...
Reposted by Russell Holden
Battle of the Sexes II..
aka a lucrative stunt between two members of the same talent agency, packaged as human experiment...
Preview..
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
aka a lucrative stunt between two members of the same talent agency, packaged as human experiment...
Preview..
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Sabalenka vs Kyrgios: a charmless stunt that doesn’t say ...
The festive period exhibition is such a contrived tennis match that it won’t help women
observer.co.uk
December 28, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Battle of the Sexes II..
aka a lucrative stunt between two members of the same talent agency, packaged as human experiment...
Preview..
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
aka a lucrative stunt between two members of the same talent agency, packaged as human experiment...
Preview..
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Well worth a read
AFCON, migration and identity
@mahermezahi.bsky.social
@africasacountry.bsky.social
africasacountry.com/2025/12/thre...
@mahermezahi.bsky.social
@africasacountry.bsky.social
africasacountry.com/2025/12/thre...
Three footballers walk into a stadium
What the presence of an unlikely trio of football icons at AFCON tells us about migration, African identity, and the histories that continue to shape the modern game
africasacountry.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Well worth a read
Reposted by Russell Holden
arise Sir Ben Duckett, Sir Jacob Bethell, Sir Baz Ball, Lord Ben Stokes, Viscount Rob Key etc !
December 27, 2025 at 7:38 AM
arise Sir Ben Duckett, Sir Jacob Bethell, Sir Baz Ball, Lord Ben Stokes, Viscount Rob Key etc !
Fine Christmas fare.
Stream our “Blue Christmas” playlist featuring festive holiday tracks from across the Blue Note catalog including vocalists Kurt Elling, Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Gregory Porter & Norah Jones: bluenote.lnk.to/BlueChristmas
December 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Fine Christmas fare.
Dropping off to sleep as spineless England capitulate to one of the lesser Australian Test match teams. No sweet dreams for me and many other listeners #TheAshes
December 20, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Dropping off to sleep as spineless England capitulate to one of the lesser Australian Test match teams. No sweet dreams for me and many other listeners #TheAshes
Reposted by Russell Holden
"FIFA President Infantino’s steadfast commitment to expanding football’s impact on the world’s climate has been recognised with a special new award, Fossil Free Football’s “Football Climate Impact Prize”.
www.fossilfreefootball.org/2025/12/04/f...
www.fossilfreefootball.org/2025/12/04/f...
FIFA President Gianni Infantino Wins “Football Climate Impact Prize” | Fossil Free Football
FIFA President Infantino’s steadfast commitment to expanding football’s impact on the world’s climate has been recognised with a special new award, Fossil Free Football’s “Football Climate Impact Priz...
www.fossilfreefootball.org
December 15, 2025 at 5:18 PM
"FIFA President Infantino’s steadfast commitment to expanding football’s impact on the world’s climate has been recognised with a special new award, Fossil Free Football’s “Football Climate Impact Prize”.
www.fossilfreefootball.org/2025/12/04/f...
www.fossilfreefootball.org/2025/12/04/f...
Reposted by Russell Holden
Full programme for our 2026 conference now available!
Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 26 Feb
9am to 5pm
Register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 26 Feb
9am to 5pm
Register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
December 5, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Full programme for our 2026 conference now available!
Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 26 Feb
9am to 5pm
Register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
Hughes Hall, Cambridge, 26 Feb
9am to 5pm
Register here: www.cricketsociety.org.uk/events/crick...
We are nearly there-a couple of hours until The Ashes commence. For what it's worth, I predict a 3/1 margin favouring Australia. However, this is likely to be a tight series between 2 vulnerable teams. #TheAshes
November 21, 2025 at 1:11 AM
We are nearly there-a couple of hours until The Ashes commence. For what it's worth, I predict a 3/1 margin favouring Australia. However, this is likely to be a tight series between 2 vulnerable teams. #TheAshes
Reposted by Russell Holden
Classic sportswashing. I love the Olympics and I hate the IOC. If you're not following @nolympicsla.bsky.social or @julesboykoff.bsky.social, time to correct that!
EXCLUSIVE: The organizing committee for the upcoming LA Olympics is hiring a bench of Trump allies to serve on its board..
The 2028 Olympics goes MAGA
It’s not the only sports body that has bent toward Trump as it prepares to put on a major event during Trump’s second term.
www.politico.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Classic sportswashing. I love the Olympics and I hate the IOC. If you're not following @nolympicsla.bsky.social or @julesboykoff.bsky.social, time to correct that!
I +ope this session is on-line.
Coming soon:
Tuesday 25th November
Tuesday 25th November
Lovatt Lecture in Geography @worcesteruni.bsky.social :
Prof. Mark Riley,
University of Liverpool, on social media and it's role in the (re)presentation of geographies and identities
Prof. Mark Riley,
University of Liverpool, on social media and it's role in the (re)presentation of geographies and identities
November 20, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I +ope this session is on-line.
Could not agree more.
Really good to see this shabby deal ending. Congratulations to the fans who campaigned against it. Let's hope the many other Western sports teams helping Rwanda sportswash its image while occupying eastern Congo will do the same.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/footba...
Arsenal to end eight-year sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda in June 2026
Arsenal announce the club will end their eight-year sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Could not agree more.
This sounds good.
Coming soon:
Tuesday 25th November
Tuesday 25th November
Lovatt Lecture in Geography @worcesteruni.bsky.social :
Prof. Mark Riley,
University of Liverpool, on social media and it's role in the (re)presentation of geographies and identities
Prof. Mark Riley,
University of Liverpool, on social media and it's role in the (re)presentation of geographies and identities
November 20, 2025 at 11:48 AM
This sounds good.
Reposted by Russell Holden
As I’ve seen this confused a few times, please note that Robin Gibb was a much-beloved member of the Bee Gees, whilst Robbie Gibb is the BBC board member who also, totally coincidentally, was editorial adviser in the set-up of GB News.
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 AM
As I’ve seen this confused a few times, please note that Robin Gibb was a much-beloved member of the Bee Gees, whilst Robbie Gibb is the BBC board member who also, totally coincidentally, was editorial adviser in the set-up of GB News.
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
I know, Bee Gees, GBeebies, a bit confusing…
This was a really wide ranging, stimulating and entertaining session to chair. Many thanks to Tim and Jarrod.
Here’s the recording of our latest webinar panel - The Men’s Ashes and the Future of Test Cricket.
Tim Wigmore and @jarrodkimber.bsky.social covered a LOT of ground - and the event was expertly chaired by @russinthezone.bsky.social 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtt6...
Tim Wigmore and @jarrodkimber.bsky.social covered a LOT of ground - and the event was expertly chaired by @russinthezone.bsky.social 👏
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtt6...
Panel: The Men’s Ashes and the Future of Test Cricket
YouTube video by Cricket Research Network
www.youtube.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:23 AM
This was a really wide ranging, stimulating and entertaining session to chair. Many thanks to Tim and Jarrod.
Reposted by Russell Holden
CfP open for @cricketacademic.bsky.social Conference @hugheshall.bsky.social @cam.ac.uk!
@rafnicholson.bsky.social @drcricket.bsky.social @bayfirth.bsky.social @bssh.bsky.social @sportinhistorypod.bsky.social @jeremylonsdale.bsky.social @russinthezone.bsky.social
idrottsforum.org/call-for-pap...
@rafnicholson.bsky.social @drcricket.bsky.social @bayfirth.bsky.social @bssh.bsky.social @sportinhistorypod.bsky.social @jeremylonsdale.bsky.social @russinthezone.bsky.social
idrottsforum.org/call-for-pap...
Call for Papers | Cricket Research Network Annual Conference | Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge (overlooking Fenner’s Cricket Ground), February 26, 2026. Call ends November 21, 2025
What looms on the horizon for cricket in 2026? In England & Wales we are contending with new ownership of The Hundred teams and the threat of player strikes in the Men’s County Championship, while loo...
idrottsforum.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Absurd.
With the sacking of Will Still by Southampton this evening, 52 of the 92 clubs in England's top four divisions (56.5%) have changed manager at least one in the past year.
November 3, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Absurd.
Very much looking forward to this event.
The Ashes is nearly here, but what’s next for Test cricket? 🏏
Join @jarrodkimber.bsky.social & Tim Wigmore as they talk the Ashes, historic rivalries & future pressures.
Chaired by @russinthezone.bsky.social
💻 Free Zoom panel | 4 Nov, 7pm GMT | 🔗DM for the link
Join @jarrodkimber.bsky.social & Tim Wigmore as they talk the Ashes, historic rivalries & future pressures.
Chaired by @russinthezone.bsky.social
💻 Free Zoom panel | 4 Nov, 7pm GMT | 🔗DM for the link
November 3, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Very much looking forward to this event.
Reposted by Russell Holden
PANEL: Cricket, Gambling and Match-Fixing
29 October 2025
5pm-6pm (London time - GMT)
Chair: @stevemenary.bsky.social
Panelists: Dr Minhyeok Tak – Loughborough University, Anca-Maria Ghergel – Sheffield Hallam University, Will Gunn – Sporting Solutions
Open to all. DM us for the Teams link!
29 October 2025
5pm-6pm (London time - GMT)
Chair: @stevemenary.bsky.social
Panelists: Dr Minhyeok Tak – Loughborough University, Anca-Maria Ghergel – Sheffield Hallam University, Will Gunn – Sporting Solutions
Open to all. DM us for the Teams link!
October 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
PANEL: Cricket, Gambling and Match-Fixing
29 October 2025
5pm-6pm (London time - GMT)
Chair: @stevemenary.bsky.social
Panelists: Dr Minhyeok Tak – Loughborough University, Anca-Maria Ghergel – Sheffield Hallam University, Will Gunn – Sporting Solutions
Open to all. DM us for the Teams link!
29 October 2025
5pm-6pm (London time - GMT)
Chair: @stevemenary.bsky.social
Panelists: Dr Minhyeok Tak – Loughborough University, Anca-Maria Ghergel – Sheffield Hallam University, Will Gunn – Sporting Solutions
Open to all. DM us for the Teams link!
Today's essential reading.
This is a measured, weary, cutting piece. I won't cherry-pick a screenshot, there's enough disdain in here for everyone involved. Read the whole thing.
Standing with Maccabi’s football hooligans against local police – is that what patriotism looks like now? | Jonathan Liew
October 22, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Today's essential reading.
Could not agree more.
The tone of language about Andrew and the royals is sickening. They’ve had a ‘tough’ day? It’s ’distracting attention‘ from their activities? ‘Difficult headlines’? Seriously: they are not the victims here. Have some respect for those who are.
October 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Could not agree more.