The FootPol Podcast
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.
The FootPol Podcast
¡Que viva Colombia! Football, nation building and identity in the Andean country ft Pete Watson
Football is a powerful tool in fragmented societies, none more so than Colombia. In this episode, Pete Watson of Leeds University explains to co-hosts Guy and Francesco what role has football played in the formation of a national identity and as a tool of reconciliation in both Colombia and in neighbouring countries. In Colombia the beautiful game has been used by a wide range of actors, from politicians to FARC rebels. Pete also discusses the darker side of Colombian football, its historical connection with the drug cartels. Pete examines the current relative success of the Colombian women's team compared to the men and the difficulties they still face, as well as the continuing racism within football and society. Finally, he offers his thoughts on Colombia's prospects at the upcoming Copa America alongside those of the other front runners!
