This was too important a story not to discuss, so co-host @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social squeezed time in from his holidays to join me and talk about it.

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Is the World Cup for sale? We're briefly back from our summer break with a FootPol episode on FIFA's $20bn proposal. FIFA says investment will transform football. Critics ask if private money changes who the game serves. Listen 🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis... Opportunity or a step too far?

🚨New episode! Marie-Louise Eta’s appointment at Union Berlin in April wasn’t the “first” in women coaching men’s football—but it’s the highest-profile in a top European league. New FootPol ep w/ @cmrobertz.bsky.social on why that framing persists + what it hides: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Both the episode and @miguellpereira.bsky.social's fantastic book are highly recommended. Miguel's book even got @guyburton.net's much-coveted seal of approval!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Spain face Portugal tonight. From Franco’s legacy to Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, @miguellpereira.bsky.social draws on his book to explore how Spanish football has been shaped by politics, identity and change in our FootPol archive. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Too kind @phmarliere.bsky.social, but yes Jonathan was a fantastic guest!

Philippe Marlière@phmarliere.bsky.social · 4mo ago

This @footpolpodcast.bsky.social podcast on French football and politics is worth a listen: good questions and erudite and nuanced comments by Dr Jonathan Ervine. A rare occurrence when it comes to French football. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

You can see we at FootPol are keen to promote this episode by the fact that our @guyburton.net has gone full fashion model. But it is an excellent episode, do check it out!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Mexico v South Africa today. We’re visiting FootPol's archives to study countries playing each day—adding political context to the football. Today: Mexico with @drpetewatson.bsky.social & Roger Magazine. Co-host @guyburton.net is also wearing Pique from Mexico ’86. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Fascinating episode on the politics of the World Cup with @politicsofsports.bsky.social and Tamir Bar-On. Check it out!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 4mo ago

World Cup starts this week! @guyburton.net is away so @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social hosts @politicsofsports.bsky.social & Tamir Bar-On, co-editors of Soccer & Society issue of World Cup 2026 politics. FIFA, Iran, nationalism, ticket prices, global football shifts. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

As Health Secretary, Wes Streeting deepened the privatisation of our NHS and handed over our data to Palantir, a company involved in genocide. I am sure his friend Peter Mandelson is very proud. Time to reinstate our NHS as a fully public service — and kick Palantir out!

Check this out! Latest FootPol episode on Curacao just dropped!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 5mo ago

⚽ How did Curaçao build a World Cup team in the Netherlands? New FootPol: with Karym Leito & Margo Groenewoud on Curaçao’s road to 2026—diaspora, colonial ties, identity and football’s “Blue Wave.” 🎧 Final episode in our World Cup Debutants mini-series. Out now! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Absolute banger on football and politics in Jordan with Curtis Ryan just dropped, check it out here!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 6mo ago

New episode in our 2026 World Cup Debutants series now out! Jordan’s historic first qualification. With @curtisryan.bsky.social, we explore football, identity, rivalries and politics shaping the game in that country. Do listen and like, share and subscribe! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Public service announcement

🏆 Two countries of under 1 million people are in action in the interconfederation play-offs for the 2026 World Cup today: 🇸🇷 Suriname (635,000) and 🇳🇨 New Caledonia (265,000). Suriname will take on Bolivia, while New Caledonia are up against Jamaica. Both games are in Mexico.

So much has happened in the last few days, @guyburton.net and myself had to do another InstaFootPol @footpolpodcast.bsky.social. Check it out!

Guy Burton@guyburton.net · 7mo ago

We've brought out a new @footpolpodcast.bsky.social episode! @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and I update you in our latest episode on Iran and the World Cup, the women players' asylum decisions in Australia and CAF's decision to award the AFCON trophy to Morocco. It's been a busy week!

We've brought out a new @footpolpodcast.bsky.social episode! @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and I update you in our latest episode on Iran and the World Cup, the women players' asylum decisions in Australia and CAF's decision to award the AFCON trophy to Morocco. It's been a busy week!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 7mo ago

We're keeping up with the latest controversies from the past week: AFCON 2025 fallout, Iran’s World Cup gamble & the Iran women’s football asylum saga—all in one episode of Insta-Footpol. Politics, FIFA and human stories collide on and off the pitch. ⚽️🎧 Listen now: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

New episode out today ⚽ We explore the politics of football fanzines with Paddy Hoey of @ljmuofficial.bsky.social—from their DIY rise in Britain to fan activism after the Hillsborough disaster & the transformation of football in the Premier League era. Do listen! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Pretty happy with this one. Do listen please!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 7mo ago

New Insta-FootPol episode: as war breaks out between the US, Israel & Iran, what does it mean for the 2026 World Cup? We examine Iran’s possible withdrawal, FIFA’s silence vs Russia sanctions, and whether fans will react. Listen, share & subscribe. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

New Insta-FootPol episode: as war breaks out between the US, Israel & Iran, what does it mean for the 2026 World Cup? We examine Iran’s possible withdrawal, FIFA’s silence vs Russia sanctions, and whether fans will react. Listen, share & subscribe. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

100 episodes! 🎙️ Our latest looks at Cabo Verde’s first-ever World Cup qualification and what it means for nation-building, identity and postcolonial politics. With Emmanuel Charles D’Oliveira & Nuno Domingos. Football, diaspora, islands, and the global stage. www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Reform literally running scared. #GoHannah #GoZack

Zack Polanski@zackpolanski.bsky.social · 8mo ago

Reform politicians are happy to throw insults from a distance. But when it comes to debating their ideas? No show. Richard Tice pulled out. Farage won’t face me. Now their candidate in Gorton & Denton has ducked our candidate Hannah Spencer. Vote Green.

Working-class creatives are being squeezed out of careers in the arts. Our research on the lack of class diversity in the creative industries has been cited in a new report on working-class participation in the arts across Greater Manchester ⤵️ www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Bias against working class should be illegal, culture review says

More than 50% of respondents to a survey on the creative sector say they experienced class bias.

bbc.co.uk

Your essential reading for understanding the Tory party's crisis. Posted here for no reason whatsoever.

The Party's Over

Today, it is not a question of if, but when? What we are watching is the collapse of the most successful political party in Europe. Despite winning the December 2019 General Election, the parliamentar...

versobooks.com

Our last @footpolpodcast.bsky.social episode is out for 2025. @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and I spoke to US college player Sydney Minarik about what it is like to play football in the US and the politics in and around the game. Do have a listen and watch out for new episodes in January!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Out now — and our last episode of the year ⚽🎙️ We speak with former Clemson University player Sydney Minarik on women’s football pathways in the US, Title IX, pay-to-play, injuries and her move to Australia’s NPL. Back in January. 🎧 Listen: www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

Today, on Wilson’s World, the Jackie Milburn statue at St James’ Park. FULL VIDEO: jonawils.substack.com/p/newcastle-... FULL ARCHIVE: www.youtube.com/@jonawils/vi... #football #newcastleunited #jackiemilburn

My new mini-podcast episode is out now: Ten Minutes On… the DRC–Rwanda peace deal. What’s new, why fighting resumed, what’s at stake for millions displaced, and how global interest in Congo’s minerals shapes diplomacy. Listen here 🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2354388/epis...

I'm pleased to announce that we had @davidgoldblatt.bsky.social join @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and I on the @footpolpodcast.bsky.social again, 2 years after his last appearance. We got to discuss his excellent new book, Injury Time, which you can buy here: harpercollins.co.uk/products/inj...

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · 11mo ago

Football isn’t just a game — it’s Britain’s X-ray. In our latest episode, @davidgoldblatt.bsky.social joins FootPol to unpack his new book, Injury Time, diving into Brexit, covid, inequality, climate change and how football reveals the state we’re in. Do listen!🎧 www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

We are, indeed, back for a third season!

Guy Burton@guyburton.net · last yr.

Yes, we're back for a third season! @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and I are looking forward to bringing in plenty of guests over the coming months to talk football and politics over at @footpolpodcast.bsky.social. But for this first one, you'll have to listen to us both go over the summer's events!

Well, I think it's turned out quite well, what about you @claptoncfc.co.uk 😉? #CrossStitch ⚽️🪡🏳️‍⚧️

"There are other more incendiary options. One would be for the UK and others to properly adhere to their obligations under international law." @profmabon.bsky.social on the Gaza genocide. theconversation.com/gaza-is-star...

Gaza is starving – how Israel’s allies can go beyond words and take meaningful action

Israel’s allies should look at what was done to isolate South Africa during the apartheid years.

theconversation.com

Yes, the @footpolpodcast.bsky.social is taking a break for the summer. But @drfrancescobelc.bsky.social and I won't be disappearing entirely. We're going to be working on new episodes and welcome suggestions for episode topics, guests and possible collaborations with like minded podcasters!

The FootPol Podcast@footpolpodcast.bsky.social · last yr.

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...

Ciao! Il primo episodio d FootPol in italiano e' qui! Abbiamo intervistato Maurizio Affuso di RAGE Sport che ci ha raccontato la storia del brand di abbigliamento sportivo, il legame col @claptoncfc.co.uk e perche' sport e politica sono strettamente connessi! www.buzzsprout.com/2253650/epis...

New limited edition Clapton CFC trans solidarity goalkeeper shirt is available to pre-order now 🔥 All profits go to the Trans Legal Clinic ✊ The one-off window to buy closes on May 30 then they will be manufactured. www.claptoncfc.co.uk/2025/05/20/c...