Cricket in crisis: racism, sexism and elitism in the sport
Sport can be a site of struggle, a chance for us to organise collectively in the face of racism, sexism and elitism.
Ideologues, apologists and the Qatar World Cup
Something ulterior is at work in the sudden outpouring of concern for queer fans at the Qatar World Cup, argues Lisa Leak.
A photo report on the Football Lads Alliance
Mitch Mitchell writes on Saturday’s march of the self-described “anti-extremism” group the Football Lads Alliance. Photos by Steve Eason.
We’re all off to Glasgow in the Green: in defence of the Green Brigade
Jamie Lewis comments on the two-match ban imposed on Celtic supporters the Green Brigade. I don’t think I have seen anything like the Celtic fans in all the stadiums I have played. – Xavi Parkhead, Celtic FC’s home ground, has a well-earned colloquial moniker: Paradise. The best players in international football regularly speak in awe […]
Olimpíadas pra Quem? – Olympics for whom?
Ignatius J. O’Reilly writes from Rio about how the Olympics were experienced by the people of Brasil and the protests that resulted There is an irony to the use of OlimpÃadas, the alternative term for the ‘Jogos OlÃmpicos’ (Olympic Games), as they are called in Português. With the simple omission of a pen stroke, one […]
Selling Brazil – review of Dave Zirin’s “Brazil’s Dance with the Devil”
Ruth Lorimer reviews Brazil’s Dance with the Devil: The World Cup, The Olympics and the Fight for Democracy by Dave Zirin, published by Haymarket Books.
Hillsborough verdict: the only ‘us against them’ that really matters
On a momentous day in the battle for justice for those killed at Hillsborough in 1989 Liverpool FC supporter Dan Swain, who was brought up in Liverpool, offers a personal view. This is what happened at Hillsborough on April 15 1989: 96 fans of Liverpool football club were unlawfully killed, as a result of a […]
Liverpool football fans: why we walked out
Royston Bentham of the Football Supporters’ Federation and Spirit of Shankly explains the protest movement that underpinned Saturday’s walkout by supporters of Liverpool football club and has led to the club apologising to fans, and a freeze on ticket prices. In November 2012, at a public meeting in the Sandon pub, the birthplace of Liverpool […]
The Premier League’s crackdown on social media is about policing access to football
The corporate interests that run football are trying to stamp out social media and illegal livestreaming. But this will come with a higher price than they realise, writes Mark Bergfeld Who doesn’t remember Robin van Persie’s gravity-defying goal against Spain at this year’s FIFA World Cup? Oh, you didn’t see it? Don’t worry – you […]
Football, Anti-Racism and Solidarity – the case of Yorkshire St. Pauli
Chris Webster of Yorkshire St Pauli explains how the Yorkshire fan club of a German football team is challenging oppression and welcoming refugees and asylum seekers to Leeds. This article first appeared in the Northern Star, a bulletin of rs21 supporters in Leeds. The politics connected to St. Pauli is the main reason many of […]
London: Thousands celebrate Algeria’s World Cup success
Across London, thousands celebrated Algeria’s victory against Russia during the World Cup, as Algeria progressed for the first time in its history to the top 16. Mona and Syed report: Crowds packed out Trafalgar Square on 26 June, celebrating into the night. Walthamstow, which has a strong Algerian community, erupted into a spontaneous street festival. Algeria supporters brought drums […]
Resistance in Rio
In the run up to the World Cup, strikes and protests swept across Brazil. Ali S, based in Brazil, looks at the background and character of the protests. This is an article from the Summer 2014 rs21 magazine During the explosion of protests in Brazil in June 2013, protesters held placards stating anything they wanted, […]
A view from Rio: “The World Cup now pervades every serious political dispute taking place today”
The World Cup kicks off in Brazil next week. Last year’s Confederations Cup saw huge protests and confrontations with the Police, directed at the corruption and vast public spending which surrounds the event. One year on, anger continues, but the picture is more complex. Mark Bergfeld interviewed Rio activist Miguel Borba de Sá last month to […]
Solidarity Call from Brazil Trade Union
rs21 has been approached by the Brazilian trade union federation CSP-Conlutas with the following message for solidarity on the eve of the World Cup, which we are happy to share. Please send solidarity messages and motions to didi@cspconlutas.org.br and dirceutravesso1@gmail.com. See below for a model motion. STATEMENT FROM CSP-Conlutas: ***On the Eve of the World Cup*** A […]
Kicking off in Rio: popular protest and the politics of the World Cup (public meeting)
Brazil has seen huge attacks on its poor and a fightback from hundreds of thousands as two mega-events – the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 – inflict themselves on a country of huge inequalities. Speakers: Writer Mike Marqusee and Rio resident Ali Sargent will talk about the politics of these “trojan horses […]