Matthias Fett
@fettitude.bsky.social
Dokumentationsjournalist bei @spiegel.de.
Haushalt, Steuern, etc.
Economist.
Economic effects of FIFA World Cups and other (Sport) Mega Events.
@dfrlab.bsky.social cohort Fall 2024
privat hier.
Haushalt, Steuern, etc.
Economist.
Economic effects of FIFA World Cups and other (Sport) Mega Events.
@dfrlab.bsky.social cohort Fall 2024
privat hier.
Pinned
Reposted by Matthias Fett
It is a good opportunity to have a look at my recent journal articles that call for a rethink of #sportswashing with a bigger focus on the role of media and audiences in interpreting the political power of sports:
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/r...
thx @uomhums.bsky.social, @fettitude.bsky.social
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/r...
thx @uomhums.bsky.social, @fettitude.bsky.social
Research calls for “sportswashing” rethink amid FIFA Peace Prize rumours
As global attention turns to rumours that FIFA may award a new “Peace Prize” to US President Donald Trump later next month, new research has argued that public debates about politics and sport need fa...
www.manchester.ac.uk
December 6, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It is a good opportunity to have a look at my recent journal articles that call for a rethink of #sportswashing with a bigger focus on the role of media and audiences in interpreting the political power of sports:
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/r...
thx @uomhums.bsky.social, @fettitude.bsky.social
www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/r...
thx @uomhums.bsky.social, @fettitude.bsky.social
And I just thought it’s a very cheap work of an uninspired goldsmith who is a fan of the Walking Dead.
But this ⬇️ is even more sinister.
A bald-headed goof is giving a golden “Peace Prize” to an autocrat billionaire (who doesn’t bother being called a fascist) which is inspired by a fascist novel.
But this ⬇️ is even more sinister.
A bald-headed goof is giving a golden “Peace Prize” to an autocrat billionaire (who doesn’t bother being called a fascist) which is inspired by a fascist novel.
That book is Steve Bannon’s inspiration, a fascist novel. Just openly laughing at everyone they hate
December 6, 2025 at 12:15 PM
And I just thought it’s a very cheap work of an uninspired goldsmith who is a fan of the Walking Dead.
But this ⬇️ is even more sinister.
A bald-headed goof is giving a golden “Peace Prize” to an autocrat billionaire (who doesn’t bother being called a fascist) which is inspired by a fascist novel.
But this ⬇️ is even more sinister.
A bald-headed goof is giving a golden “Peace Prize” to an autocrat billionaire (who doesn’t bother being called a fascist) which is inspired by a fascist novel.
The problem was not the length or the sportswashing or cringe moments of that #worldcupdraw show. Those are already written.
It was that it was just like the Infantino-Fifa acts: unrehearsed and throwing in a bunch of names:
It was that it was just like the Infantino-Fifa acts: unrehearsed and throwing in a bunch of names:
December 5, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The problem was not the length or the sportswashing or cringe moments of that #worldcupdraw show. Those are already written.
It was that it was just like the Infantino-Fifa acts: unrehearsed and throwing in a bunch of names:
It was that it was just like the Infantino-Fifa acts: unrehearsed and throwing in a bunch of names:
This Prize is tremendously hideous. I mean, that’s not state of the art, that’s not gracious and that’s not even Trump-like pompous.
Looks like that not only Gianni hasn’t asked his Council for permission, he also went to the cheapest goldsmith who is a fan of The Walking Dead. #peaceprize
Looks like that not only Gianni hasn’t asked his Council for permission, he also went to the cheapest goldsmith who is a fan of The Walking Dead. #peaceprize
December 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
This Prize is tremendously hideous. I mean, that’s not state of the art, that’s not gracious and that’s not even Trump-like pompous.
Looks like that not only Gianni hasn’t asked his Council for permission, he also went to the cheapest goldsmith who is a fan of The Walking Dead. #peaceprize
Looks like that not only Gianni hasn’t asked his Council for permission, he also went to the cheapest goldsmith who is a fan of The Walking Dead. #peaceprize
Reposted by Matthias Fett
1️⃣ So, the FIFA Men's Football World Cup draw in semi-authoritarian USAmerica:
There's a paradox here that I first saw in the run-up to Russia 2018. It's a feature of mega-events in authoritarian or closed / closing contexts...
Short 🧵
There's a paradox here that I first saw in the run-up to Russia 2018. It's a feature of mega-events in authoritarian or closed / closing contexts...
Short 🧵
December 5, 2025 at 4:14 PM
1️⃣ So, the FIFA Men's Football World Cup draw in semi-authoritarian USAmerica:
There's a paradox here that I first saw in the run-up to Russia 2018. It's a feature of mega-events in authoritarian or closed / closing contexts...
Short 🧵
There's a paradox here that I first saw in the run-up to Russia 2018. It's a feature of mega-events in authoritarian or closed / closing contexts...
Short 🧵
Kind of disappointed that Fifa hasn’t chosen the obvious low-hanging fruit with Village People’s »Far away in America« which is already a World Cup anthem.
With »YMCA« it now looks like a regular Trump Rallye.
With »YMCA« it now looks like a regular Trump Rallye.
From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: FIFA announced that the Village People, the pop group that sings President Trump’s adopted anthem of “Y.M.C.A.,” will perform at the World Cup draw on Friday.
Village People will perform Trump anthem ‘Y.M.C.A.’ at World Cup draw, FIFA says
There will also be live music performances from Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger.
nyti.ms
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Kind of disappointed that Fifa hasn’t chosen the obvious low-hanging fruit with Village People’s »Far away in America« which is already a World Cup anthem.
With »YMCA« it now looks like a regular Trump Rallye.
With »YMCA« it now looks like a regular Trump Rallye.
Reposted by Matthias Fett
2/ Men's World Cups are very expensive for host governments, which spend billions, and very lucrative for FIFA, which makes billions. See the basic business model below (courtesy of @sdwolfe.bsky.social, Martin Müller and David Gogishvili).
The USA will pay for the party and suffer the hangover.
The USA will pay for the party and suffer the hangover.
December 3, 2025 at 10:34 AM
2/ Men's World Cups are very expensive for host governments, which spend billions, and very lucrative for FIFA, which makes billions. See the basic business model below (courtesy of @sdwolfe.bsky.social, Martin Müller and David Gogishvili).
The USA will pay for the party and suffer the hangover.
The USA will pay for the party and suffer the hangover.
Reposted by Matthias Fett
It's the "MAGA-FIFA World Cup", Infantino has said he supports Trump's agenda, and Trump may be awarded a new FIFA Peace Prize.
Why all this fawning?
Well one plausible explanation is that Trump knows the World Cup is a complete swindle.
A mini 🧵 to explain..
apnews.com/article/dona...
Why all this fawning?
Well one plausible explanation is that Trump knows the World Cup is a complete swindle.
A mini 🧵 to explain..
apnews.com/article/dona...
Trump and Infantino's bond shapes a 'MAGA' World Cup
Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino agreed to hold the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.
apnews.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:34 AM
It's the "MAGA-FIFA World Cup", Infantino has said he supports Trump's agenda, and Trump may be awarded a new FIFA Peace Prize.
Why all this fawning?
Well one plausible explanation is that Trump knows the World Cup is a complete swindle.
A mini 🧵 to explain..
apnews.com/article/dona...
Why all this fawning?
Well one plausible explanation is that Trump knows the World Cup is a complete swindle.
A mini 🧵 to explain..
apnews.com/article/dona...
On Friday there’s the Final World Cup Draw and from then on we are only moments away from media outlets using the inaccurate data from @frontofficesports.bsky.social about the costs of the past FIFA World Cups. Stay tuned ✌🏼
December 3, 2025 at 12:15 PM
On Friday there’s the Final World Cup Draw and from then on we are only moments away from media outlets using the inaccurate data from @frontofficesports.bsky.social about the costs of the past FIFA World Cups. Stay tuned ✌🏼
Ich rechne übrigens noch damit, dass im Vorfeld der WM 2026 der WM-Pokal von 36,8 cm Höhe auf über 40 cm angepasst wird, weil „the biggest sport event in history“ braucht natürlich einen Trump-like großen goldenen Pokal.
November 27, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Ich rechne übrigens noch damit, dass im Vorfeld der WM 2026 der WM-Pokal von 36,8 cm Höhe auf über 40 cm angepasst wird, weil „the biggest sport event in history“ braucht natürlich einen Trump-like großen goldenen Pokal.
Reposted by Matthias Fett
My one-two punch on “#sportswashing”: Two (!) new journal articles are now out, in which I critique the concept and call for more attention to the role played by media and audiences in interpreting the political power of sports.
November 17, 2025 at 3:21 PM
My one-two punch on “#sportswashing”: Two (!) new journal articles are now out, in which I critique the concept and call for more attention to the role played by media and audiences in interpreting the political power of sports.
Zum Glück findet dort nächstes Jahr die WM 2026 statt, die alle soziale Missstände auflöst. Wie schon 1970 oder 1986 …
Mexiko: Behörden melden 120 Verletzte bei Demonstration in Mexiko-Stadt: In Mexikos Hauptstadt haben Tausende gegen soziale Missstände in ihrem Land protestiert. Vor dem Regierungspalast kam es zu Zusammenstößen zwischen Demonstranten und der Polizei.
Mexiko: Behörden melden 120 Verletzte bei Demonstration in Mexiko-Stadt
In Mexikos Hauptstadt haben Tausende gegen soziale Missstände in ihrem Land protestiert. Vor dem Regierungspalast kam es zu Zusammenstößen zwischen Demonstranten und der Polizei.
www.spiegel.de
November 16, 2025 at 7:04 AM
Zum Glück findet dort nächstes Jahr die WM 2026 statt, die alle soziale Missstände auflöst. Wie schon 1970 oder 1986 …
Heute meinen alten Europarechts-Prof @repasi.bsky.social im heute-Journal gesehen.
Wie schnell die Zeit vergeht.
Wie schnell die Zeit vergeht.
a man in a yellow shirt is sitting in a chair holding a cup and pointing
ALT: a man in a yellow shirt is sitting in a chair holding a cup and pointing
media.tenor.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Heute meinen alten Europarechts-Prof @repasi.bsky.social im heute-Journal gesehen.
Wie schnell die Zeit vergeht.
Wie schnell die Zeit vergeht.
The fact that Infantino is praising Donald Trump as a great leader, sitting on a stage in Miami (of course) of an economic forum sponsored by PIF (of course) while being mute on the sexual harassment another host country’s President, Sheinbaum (🇲🇽), experienced this week, is quite telling.
November 6, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The fact that Infantino is praising Donald Trump as a great leader, sitting on a stage in Miami (of course) of an economic forum sponsored by PIF (of course) while being mute on the sexual harassment another host country’s President, Sheinbaum (🇲🇽), experienced this week, is quite telling.
November 6, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Why is there another friendly between WC2030-host Morocco 🇲🇦 and Haiti 🇭🇹 today?
They both have played against each other just once before. Ever. In Morocco. In February. 1:1.
They both have played against each other just once before. Ever. In Morocco. In February. 1:1.
October 28, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Why is there another friendly between WC2030-host Morocco 🇲🇦 and Haiti 🇭🇹 today?
They both have played against each other just once before. Ever. In Morocco. In February. 1:1.
They both have played against each other just once before. Ever. In Morocco. In February. 1:1.
10 years ago, today: “Does the FIFA World Cup boost the economy?”
Thanks @playthegame-org.bsky.social for the opportunity that has changed my career (and therefore my life).
Only appropriate to visit Aarhus again for this.
And also to meet up with PtG-colleague @vitalykaz.bsky.social 👍🏼
Thanks @playthegame-org.bsky.social for the opportunity that has changed my career (and therefore my life).
Only appropriate to visit Aarhus again for this.
And also to meet up with PtG-colleague @vitalykaz.bsky.social 👍🏼
October 27, 2025 at 9:46 AM
10 years ago, today: “Does the FIFA World Cup boost the economy?”
Thanks @playthegame-org.bsky.social for the opportunity that has changed my career (and therefore my life).
Only appropriate to visit Aarhus again for this.
And also to meet up with PtG-colleague @vitalykaz.bsky.social 👍🏼
Thanks @playthegame-org.bsky.social for the opportunity that has changed my career (and therefore my life).
Only appropriate to visit Aarhus again for this.
And also to meet up with PtG-colleague @vitalykaz.bsky.social 👍🏼
Reposted by Matthias Fett
A criminal complaint for offering illegal gambling services has been filed by the Swiss regulator, GESPA, against Fifa's NFT platform Fifa Collect.
October 22, 2025 at 3:29 PM
A criminal complaint for offering illegal gambling services has been filed by the Swiss regulator, GESPA, against Fifa's NFT platform Fifa Collect.
Reposted by Matthias Fett
All I know is that it is a lot cheaper to hear me talk about ticket prices on NPR's Morning Edition today than it is to buy tickets to any sporting events nowadays.
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
Sports ticket prices are getting more expensive — and pricing out many fans
For sports fans, there's nothing as exciting as going to see your team play. But what was once an affordable form of entertainment is becoming increasingly more expensive and pricing some loyal fans o...
www.npr.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:49 PM
All I know is that it is a lot cheaper to hear me talk about ticket prices on NPR's Morning Edition today than it is to buy tickets to any sporting events nowadays.
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
www.npr.org/2025/10/23/n...
Schon wieder kein Anruf aus Stockholm 😞
October 13, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Schon wieder kein Anruf aus Stockholm 😞
Oh, I think I should email him my research …
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic front-runner for mayor of New York City, said on Thursday that he would install a “World Cup czar” to make sure that the city benefits from hosting the global soccer event with New Jersey next summer.
Mamdani Proposes a World Cup Czar to Boost Tourism
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic front-runner for mayor of New York City, said a “czar” would make the soccer tournament better for fans and could maximize tourism benefits.
nyti.ms
October 9, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Oh, I think I should email him my research …
Donald Trump hofft wohl, nachdem er bei den bisherigen drei Nobelpreisen leer ausgegangen ist, auf den letzten Metern den Friedensnobelpreis zu bekommen.
October 9, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Donald Trump hofft wohl, nachdem er bei den bisherigen drei Nobelpreisen leer ausgegangen ist, auf den letzten Metern den Friedensnobelpreis zu bekommen.
Reposted by Matthias Fett
DAY 3! We’re ready to go live! 🎥
And we’re picking up right where we left off yesterday. At 9:00 AM (UCT+3), you can tune in to the livestream of the session “Between inclusion and regulation: Transgender athletes in the sporting arena.”👩💻
#ptg2025
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
And we’re picking up right where we left off yesterday. At 9:00 AM (UCT+3), you can tune in to the livestream of the session “Between inclusion and regulation: Transgender athletes in the sporting arena.”👩💻
#ptg2025
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
October 7, 2025 at 5:55 AM
DAY 3! We’re ready to go live! 🎥
And we’re picking up right where we left off yesterday. At 9:00 AM (UCT+3), you can tune in to the livestream of the session “Between inclusion and regulation: Transgender athletes in the sporting arena.”👩💻
#ptg2025
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
And we’re picking up right where we left off yesterday. At 9:00 AM (UCT+3), you can tune in to the livestream of the session “Between inclusion and regulation: Transgender athletes in the sporting arena.”👩💻
#ptg2025
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
Reposted by Matthias Fett
We're live from Play the Game 2025! 🙌💥
Join us online today for three inspiring sessions - streamed live on our website and on LinkedIn Live 👨💻
👇
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
Join us online today for three inspiring sessions - streamed live on our website and on LinkedIn Live 👨💻
👇
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
October 5, 2025 at 8:21 AM
We're live from Play the Game 2025! 🙌💥
Join us online today for three inspiring sessions - streamed live on our website and on LinkedIn Live 👨💻
👇
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...
Join us online today for three inspiring sessions - streamed live on our website and on LinkedIn Live 👨💻
👇
www.playthegame.org/conferences/...