Continental Perspectives on the Geopolitical Economy of Football

This book explores continental perspectives on football's new geopolitical economy, examining how sport, politics, and the global economy have emerged in different parts of the world. Against a backdrop of international conflict and the rise of powerful new state actors in world sport, the book delves into countries and cases that explore how football investments and events have become instruments of soft power and industrial development, and how football plays an increasingly significant role in global politics and international relations. Featuring the work of leading researchers from around the globe, and case studies from five continents, the book addresses key contemporary issues in world sport. It examines the Gulf States' investments in European football, the debates around 'sportwashing' and human rights, the rise of sports in the politics and cultural relations of China and India, and football's complex relationship with migration and identity in Africa and Latin America. The book also considers the seismic impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on the geopolitics of football, the shifting landscape of football governance in Europe, the rise of Major League Soccer and the 'Messi effect,' and how the emergence of China and India as global economic superpowers is mirrored in their vision for their domestic football leagues. Additionally, the book highlights the role of FIFA and its commercial partners and stakeholders as key geopolitical actors on the world stage. This is essential reading for anyone interested in sport, political economy, international politics, globalization, or development.

Simon Chadwick is Professor of Sport and Geopolitical Economy at Skema Business School, France. Chadwick's work focuses on sport's geopolitical economy. He has worked extensively with some of the most prominent people and organizations in the sport industry, including Formula E and several F1 drivers and teams. Paul Widdop is Reader at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. His research explores social and economic networks around the consumption and production of sport. He has published widely in the areas of sport and culture including articles in the Journal of Consumer Culture, Cultural Sociology, Cultural Trends, Electoral Studies, and the Journal of Political Marketing. Widdop serves on the editorial board of several academic journals and is co-founder of the Football Collective, a learned society of academics researching impacts of football on society. Michael M. Goldman is Professor with the Sport Management Program at the University of San Francisco, USA, while also working with the Gordon Institute of Business Science in South Africa. He works with students, managers, and clients to enhance their abilities to acquire, grow, and retain profitable customers and fans.

1. Introduction, Part I: Africa, 2. Trickle-Down Effects of the African "Super" League on Domestic Leagues, 3. Building a Globally Impactful and Admired Football Academy: Lessons from Right to Dream, 4. Perspectives on African Football: How Football's Soft Power Serves as a Catalyst for Africa's Growth and Global Influence, 5. Algeria Conquering Sports as a Soft Power Tool, 6. Language and Ethnicity in the Afro-Arab Cup: The Atlas Lions, Part II: Asia, 7. Unlocking India's Potential in International Football, 8. Korea-Japan-China Trilateral Football Relationship and K League (Still) in Midst of Organizational Identity Formation, 9. Japan Football Diplomacy, 10. The Rise and Fall of Chinese Football in a Time of Geopolitical Change, 11. Critical Drivers for Chinese Super League's Soft Power Comeback, Part III: Europe, 12. Towards a Geopolitical Economy of Scottish Football: An Introduction, 13. Stadiums, Fandom and 'Disneyization' in Barcelona: Debates Around the Professional Football Industry, 14. Exploring the Relationship Between the English Premier League and the Global Empire of Gambling Marketing, 15. Can Accounting Help to Put Fans at the Heart of English Football?, Part IV: Latin America, 16. Violence, Politics and Identity: Football in Buenos Aires, 17. Football's Geopolitical Influence on Argentina-Bangladesh Relations: From the Pitch to Policy, 18. Globalizing Brazilian Football: The Impact of SAF and the Professional League, 19. Culture, Politics, and Social Struggle in Brazilian Football, Part V: Middle East, 20. The Geopolitical Economy of Football in the Middle East, 21. The Competitive Advantage of Gulf Nations in Asian Football, 22. Football for Development Through the Generation Amazing Foundation: One Million Reasons More than Just Geopolitics, 23. Lights, Camera, Sponsorship, and Geopolitics at the World Cup in Qatar, 24. Football, Diversification and Diplomacy in the UAE, 25. Geopolitics and Israeli Football: New Generations, Contemporary Challenges and Opportunities, 26. Saudi Arabia - Opportunity or Disruptive Threat?, 27. The Limits of Soft Power when Football, Politics, Religion, Secularism, and Geopolitics Collide: The Case of the "Unplayed" 2023 Turkish Super Cup Final in Saudi Arabia, 28. An Analysis of Iranian Women's Football Events Development: Beyond the Green Pitch, 29. The Economic Dynamics of Turkish Football Broadcasting: From Neoliberal Policies to Controversial Tenders, Part VI: North America, 30. Marginalizing Fans Through Supply and Demand Logics: The Messi Effect and Major League Soccer Profiteering, 31. Foreign Investment in Major League Soccer Franchises: New York's Absentee Landlords, 32. Radio Broadcasting, Football and Reconciliation Between Brazil and USA: Intertwining Sports Relationships, 33. Iran and US Football Diplomacy Behind the Political Sanctions: Mother of FIFA Matches