Fueling or burning the game? Football clubs, fans and energy companies ft. Leslie Mabon
In the latest FootPol Podcast episode, Leslie Mabon, senior lecturer in environmental systems at The Open University discusses how football’s deep ties to industry reveal a bigger story about climate change, community identity, and the energy transition.From the coalfields of Fife to the steelworks of Dortmund and Japan’s industrial clubs, football’s roots run through carbon-intensive economies. Mabon explains how clubs are now reinterpreting their industrial heritage — through shirts, banners, and community initiatives — while grappling with questions of sportswashing, ethical sponsorship, and sustainability.The episode explores how energy and identity intersect: oil and gas companies still sponsor around half of Scotland’s Highland League teams, but a shift toward renewable energy sponsorship is under way — signalling how the game may help normalise the low-carbon transition.As Mabon argues, football’s evolution mirrors society’s: industries that once drove emissions are now helping power the clean energy future. And while putting a wind turbine logo on a shirt won’t decarbonise a region overnight, it might just spark the conversations that do.
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African Fans, European Dreams ft. Manase Chinwesha and Solomon Waliaula
Why do millions of Africans passionately support European football clubs they’ve never seen in person? This episode addresses this question in Manase Chiweshe and Solomon Waliaula's recent book African Fans of European Football by exploring how fandom in Africa is reshaping global football culture.From Liverpool murals on Zimbabwean buses to Arsenal “tribes” in Kenya, we unpack how football fuels identity, community, masculinity, and even prayer. We also discuss sports betting, gender, and how local leagues are adapting in response.An eye-opening conversation about football as both a global business and a deeply local passion.
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Pride in the Game: LGBTQ+ Football Culture ft. Rory Magrath
This week on the FootPol Podcast, Rory Magrath of Southampton Solent University joins co-host Guy to unpack LGBTQ+ issues in football. From the late acceptance of LGBTQ+ players and fans in the men’s game to the more welcoming culture in women’s football, Rory explains why attitudes have shifted — and what challenges remain. We also dive into his new book, LGBT Football Fans (Routledge, 2025), exploring how fan communities are reshaping the sport.
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Season 3 Opener: Israel, Women’s Football, FIFA and Saudi Power Plays
FootPol is back for a brand new season — and we’re hitting the ground running. In this season opener, we recap the biggest political battles shaping the beautiful game and give you a taste of what’s to come.We start with Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and the mounting grassroots calls to expel Israel from world football — alongside the deafening silence from FIFA and UEFA. From there, we shift to the women’s game, exploring the politics laid bare in the Women’s Euros, the African Cup of Nations, and the Copa América Femenina.We also dive into the controversies around the Club World Cup: Gianni Infantino’s curious friendship with Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia’s expanding influence at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and what all this means for football’s future.This season, FootPol moves to a biweekly schedule — and we explain why. As ever, we want your input: like, share, and review the podcast, suggest future guests and topics, and connect with us on Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or by email at footpolpodcast [at] gmail [dot] com.
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Full-Time Whistle: The Season 2 Finale!
In the last episode of the seasone, co-hosts Guy and Francesco reflect on a great second season of FootPol, and pick apart some of the main themes from the season. They include conversations about community clubs and inclusivity as well as the relationship between social class and football in the past and present. There's also a look at the number of Asia-related episodes that were produced and what could be in store for next season.But before that check out the back catalogue of episodes that you might have missed. And mark your calendars to join Guy and Francesco from September for season three. If you've got some thoughts and ideas of future episodes, topics and guests, then get in touch! You can do that via the FootPol Podcast's social media channels on BlueSky, Facebook and Instgram as well as Guy's and Francesco's LinkedIn profiles or via the podcast's email account, which is footpolpodcast AT gmail DOT com.
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 you by co-hosts Drs Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton.
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