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Soccer and Politics

admin — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

In many countries soccer isn’t just a sport it’s a way of life that permeates culture and daily life so much that it has even had an impact on politics and vice versa. If you get your soccer channels through satellite tv service and the like then you probably know what I’m talking about. Throughout history some truly epic political statements have been made, spurred on by the sport and, in some cases, even decided upon based on the outcome of a game. Below are a few of the more pivotal moments in history where soccer, or football as they know it, was involved.

Algeria’s Bid for Freedom in 1958
Halfway through the Algerian’s War of Independence, the French national team tried to enlist the aid of some of the top strikers from the Algerian teams. Needless to say the offer was promptly snubbed as the Algerian players chose their national identity over the chance to play for the French.

Zaire players fight for their life in 1974
Some countries see losing in soccer as a form of national humiliation and that’s how President Mobutu viewed the impending loss against Brazil. This prompted Ilunga Mwepu, Zaire’s right-back, to move out of turn under threat of political exile.

East meets West in 1974
One of the most politically charged matches happened back when there was actually such a thing as East and West Germany. The game wasn’t just about soccer, it was about opposing Cold War ideologies.

The Rise Of Saudi Arabia’s Female Soccer Players

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Many people are probably wondering how can there be female soccer players from Saudi Arabia when women’s sports are not recognized in Saudi Arabia. The truth is although the country/government does not recognize the team sport does not mean that the women do not know how to play. Most have been playing since they were young, and were actually quite good at it. At first they would treat it as a hobby. Whenever there was free time they would go and play soccer. Its great exercise and good for the body.The whole story can be found at http://footballtransfer.blogspot.com/2011/09/saudiarabiavsaustralia.html Overtime that sport that was done as a hobby became very serious. These Saudi women would devote a couple of days a week to train. This was in the year 2006 and there was only one team. It was a little difficult, they might get into trouble if people found out. Captain Rima who is famous for helping start soccer in Saudi Arabia for women says, ” I went to the media to make authorities see that the women have a right to represent the country, and in a manner to please Allah.” The entire Saudi people need to see that Saudi women have been ranked as the highest obesity rate due to immobility. There are now ways Saudi women can take care of their bodies. That is through soccer.

The Rise Of Saudi Arabia-s Female Soccer Players

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Armenia And Turkey Engage In Soccer Diplomacy

admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Whenever two nations with an historic, long-standing enmity engage in any professional sport, opportunities and risks are present in terms of furthering or hampering their relationships. Successfully managed, promoted and administered, professional sporting contests can be great opportunities for historic enemies to compete with one another and enjoy recreational events together, opening doors to increased and better dialogue, and possibly putting to rest the issues which have colored their relationships in the past.

Turkey and Armenia are two countries which have a very long-standing enmity. Armenians still demand justice for an alleged genocide committed by the Turks of the Ottoman empire during and just after the first world war. Turkish military detachments and irregulars committed to the wholesale destruction of the Armenian state and its indigenous ethnic groups are alleged to have murdered upwards of 1.5 million men, women and children, and deported far more through inhumane forced marches which resulted in untold numbers of casualties among the civilian populace. These events have led to less than harmonious relations over the past 100 years, and with the break-up of the Ottoman empire, Armenia has been reestablished as a sovereign state.

Today, the opportunities that playing sports present may serve to bridge the gap between contemporary Armenian and Turkish citizens and governments by enjoying the play and spectacle of an historic and incredibly popular game.

–Soccer: Our Modern-Day Global Slave Trade–

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

For individuals playing professional sports in many nations, soccer can closely resemble a modern day global slave trade. Lacking individual civil and even human rights, the buying, selling and trading of players valued for their labor destroys families, and bears a very strong resemblance to the slave trades which have plagued our planet for thousands of years. In fact, it may be argued that the only difference is that the human cargo being moved about today, without respect for individual civil rights, is that the individuals possess a highly specialized form of labor, rather than the mass, unskilled labor that made up the slave trades in centuries past. Nevertheless, whether labor is skilled, specialized or unskilled, the fact that many soccer players across the world have no say in their employment renders their situations to be akin to enslavement.

Some nations take a very harsh attitude towards their players, with losses in important games resulting in punishments that have been known to include beatings, torture, threats, harm to loved ones, starvation and in the worst cases, death by execution. Unsurprisingly, many soccer players laboring under such harsh conditions seize opportunities to flee their would-be owners, and seek political asylum with favorable host nations whenever opportunities present themselves.

Politics’ Role In World Cup Location Selection

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you think that politics have no influence on FIFA’s selection process for World Cup locations, think again. Just remember back to the most recent World Cup in South Africa, where critics and commentators questioned the suitability and safety of the venue right up to the starting kick-off. FIFA tends to choose locations for the World Cup that are politically stable and considered safe for tourists. This makes the dream of hosting the World Cup virtually unattainable for many developing countries. Even though these countries could benefit from the increased tourism and economic activity that would come with any World Cup, they are often passed over for more politically and economically stable countries.

Gaining the home-field advantage can also play a role within the selection of the World Cup location. Countries with more political clout within FIFA try to draw the World Cup to their home turf, where they will be assured of a built-in cheering section for their team. This can put teams from developing countries at a decided disadvantage. While fans from wealthy countries can afford to travel to watch the matches, most fans from developing countries cannot afford the often prohibitive costs of attending the games abroad.

Politics- Role In World Cup Location Selection

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

If you think that politics have no influence on FIFA-s selection process for World Cup locations, think again. Just remember back to the most recent World Cup in South Africa, where critics and commentators questioned the suitability and safety of the venue right up to the starting kick-off. FIFA tends to choose locations for the World Cup that are politically stable and considered safe for tourists. This makes the dream of hosting the World Cup virtually unattainable for many developing countries. Even though these countries could benefit from the increased tourism and economic activity that would come with any World Cup, they are often passed over for more politically and economically stable countries.