1
CEVRO UNIVERZITA
Title: Football & Politics
Instructor: Jakub Wondreys (jakub.wondreys@cevro.cz)
Date & Time: Mon 17:00-18:20
Room: d223
Brazil captain Sócrates at the 1986 World Cup with a headband “Yes to Love, No to Terror,” a response
to the recent US bombing of Libya. Photograph: Bongarts/Getty Images
Course introduction & Objectives
“I just happened to be good at football, which gave me entrance to a very different and
privileged environment…If people do not have the power to say things, then I will say it for
them. While I was a footballer, my legs amplified my voice.”
– Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira
Football is the most popular and widely played sport in the world, and its social, cultural, and
political relevance is unparalleled. Politics and sport have always been closely intertwined, and
given football’s central role in many societies, this connection is particularly pronounced.
Political actors routinely use football for symbolic, diplomatic, or strategic purposes, while
football itself shapes political identities, national narratives, and even political conflicts.
Understanding these dynamics is essential for grasping the broader political significance of
sport. This course provides an introduction to the key intersections between football and politics
from a comparative and historical perspective. Students will explore how football influences
political processes, how political systems engage with and instrumentalize football, and how
issues such as nationalism, identity, social movements, globalization, and soft power manifest
through the game.
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By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Explain how political actors use football domestically and internationally;
• Identify the political dimensions, implications, and consequences of football at local,
national, and global levels;
• Apply core political science concepts, such as authoritarianism, nationalism,
democracy, and political communication, to the study of football;
• Analyze contemporary and historical cases where football and politics intersect,
including mega-events, protest movements, international diplomacy, and regime
legitimation;
• Demonstrate a more comprehensive understanding of politics through the lens of sport.
The course will combine lectures, discussions, case studies, and media analysis. No prior
knowledge of football is required; students of all backgrounds are welcome.
Readings and other resources
You are expected to complete all required readings and to listen to or watch the audio and video
materials listed in the syllabus (according to the course schedule below) before coming to class.
The only exceptions are materials explicitly marked as “optional.” These optional resources are
intended to help you better understand the required readings, deepen your knowledge of specific
topics, and potentially inspire ideas for your final paper. Failure to complete the mandatory
materials prior to class will be evident in limited participation during class discussions. You
should engage with the assigned materials in the order in which they appear in the course
schedule.
There are two required readings that you are expected to buy or borrow (either in physical or
online form):
Kuper, S (2020). Soccer against the Enemy: How the World’s Most Popular Sport
Starts and Fuels Revolutions and Keeps Dictators in Power. New York: Bold Type
Books, 3rd edition
Montague, J (2021). 1312: Among the Ultras: A journey with the world’s most
extreme fans. London: Ebury Press
All other required texts and additional resources will be shared with you and accessible either
directly through the syllabus or via the shared drive. The shared drive also includes materials
that can be a valuable resource for improving your academic writing skills, and you are
encouraged to consult these when working on your written assignments.
Classroom Attendance and Activity
This class meets regularly once a week, and while attendance is not mandatory, it is strongly
encouraged. Students learn much more when they come to class and participate in the class
discussions. Moreover, participation is an important part of your final grade and will be based
primarily on your in-class performance (see below). Absences are only excused in cases of a
documented acute medical issue or another relevant, valid reason.
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You are required to attend class on the day you are assigned as a discussion leader (see
below). Switching assigned dates is possible, but this must be communicated to the
instructor in advance, no later than the Friday before the class.
Course Evaluation
Participation (25%)
This course will require a great deal of discussion and active listening. Simply showing up to
class does not constitute participation. Your participation grade will be assessed based on
your ability to draw on insights from the readings, the depth and thoughtfulness of your
questions and comments, and your overall engagement in class. This includes the preparation,
i.e. completing and reflecting on the compulsory readings for each session. You are expected
to participate regularly in (group) discussions in an active, civil, positive, and well-informed
manner. If you do not attend, you cannot participate.
Discussion Leader (20%)
Each student will serve as a discussion leader once during the semester. In this role, the
student is responsible for guiding the class discussion for the assigned week. This includes
briefly presenting the required readings, critically engaging with their main arguments, and
highlighting key points, strengths, and potential limitations. Based on this critical evaluation,
the discussion leader is expected to prepare a set of discussion questions that will help structure
and stimulate class discussion. Optional readings listed on the syllabus may be used to
strengthen your presentation and discussion questions. In addition, outside sources that are
clearly relevant to the week’s topic (e.g., academic articles, reputable journalism,
documentaries, podcasts, primary sources) are not only allowed but encouraged, provided they
are used thoughtfully and cited appropriately.
The focus of this assignment is not on summarizing the readings in detail, but on
demonstrating understanding, critical reflection, and the ability to engage peers in
meaningful discussion. PowerPoint or other presentation formats may be used if desired, but
they are not required. Please also be mindful of time management: you only have 1h20min
to discuss (usually) 3–4 readings, so focus on the most important points and prioritize what is
most relevant for discussion.
Short Report (20%) DUE: 30.3.2026
Students are required to write a short report on the political activities of football (soccer)
fans in one specific country or region. The report should be approximately 1,000–1,500
words. It should provide a well-structured and well-researched overview of how football
fans engage in political activities and debates, situating these practices within the broader
political and social context of the selected country or region. Possible themes include (but are
not limited to) nationalism, protest movements, identity politics, regime support or opposition,
or relations between fan groups and political actors.
Students are expected to draw on the compulsory course readings for contextualization and
comparison, as well as to engage with additional academic literature on the politics of
football fandom and the political context of the chosen case. The optional/additional readings
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listed in the syllabus may also be used as inspiration and as a starting point for further research.
The use of relevant outside sources (e.g., academic articles, books, or reputable reports) is
expected and should be properly cited.
Students are encouraged to consult their choice of topic with the instructor in advance. If
you are unsure about a suitable topic or have difficulty identifying a case, the instructor will be
happy to suggest possible topics. The focus of the report is on clear structure, accurate use
of sources, and informed contextualization, rather than on the development of an original
theoretical argument (which will be the focus of the final essay). This does not preclude
students from later developing the report into a more substantial research paper for the
final assignment, provided that the final paper meets the standards of an independent,
analytical research essay.
Final Essay (35%) DUE: 1.6.2026
In the final essay (2,500–3,000 words), students are expected to respond to some (not
necessarily all) of the key questions of the course using a case study (or case studies) of their
choice. The essay should go beyond description and develop a clear, well-supported
argument.
Students may address one or more of the following (strongly interrelated) research questions:
How does politics affect football, and vice versa?
What form do these effects usually take?
Is football a useful tool for politicians to advance their agenda, and is this good or
bad?
Should footballers (as public figures) and football clubs and governing bodies (as
institutions with wide public outreach) be politically active?
Is the political activism of these actors good or bad for democracy?
In the essay, students are expected to provide sufficient evidence to support or challenge their
initial assumptions and claims. They may draw on cases discussed throughout the course as
well as additional cases they consider relevant and are interested in. The use of reliable
academic and other credible sources is required, and all sources must be cited properly.
There will be a short workshop during the semester on what a proper research paper should
look like (structure, argumentation, and use of sources) to help students prepare for this
assignment.
Late submissions will be penalized (1% of the overall course grade per day late).
Grading:
A. 90 – 100 points
B. 80 – 89 points
C. 70 – 79 points
D. 60 – 69 points
E. 50 – 59 points
F. less than 50 points
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Specific Course Rules
ChatGPT / AI Tools
You may use AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT) to develop ideas, get started on a project, or improve
your language and writing. However, you are fully responsible for any AI-generated material
you incorporate into your course assignments. If you include AI-generated content, you must
cite it like any other source. All information used in assignments must be verified, ideas must
be properly attributed, and factual claims must be accurate.
You may NOT use AI to write your assignment for you. Submitting an assignment that
is wholly or substantially AI-generated constitutes academic misconduct and will result
in FAILING the course.
Disclaimer
The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced to the class by
the instructor may be necessary.
Course Schedule and Assignments
1. Introduction (9.2.)
Mutual introductions, course overview, expectations, and familiarization with the topic
HINT: You may be asked about your favorite football team. If it is Sparta Prague or AS Roma,
you may want to keep it to yourselves.
Watch:
DW Kick off (2023). WHAT Argentina tells us about the power of football.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yfm3ems1ow
2. Football & Politics: Three Discourses (16.2.)
DISCUSSION LEADER:
Listening and Watching:
Kupper, S. (2021). Football and Politics (RADIKAAL podcast). Available at:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1134467/9589770
Readings:
Grix, J., James, M. The politicisation of sport and the principle of political neutrality: a
contradiction in terms?. Int Sports Law J 24, 68–77 (2024).
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Orwell, G. (1945) The Sporting Spirit. Tribune,
December. https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-
other-works/the-sporting-spirit/
Bar-On, T. (2017) Three Soccer Discourses. Soccer & Society, 18(2-3), 188-203.
OPTIONAL
Luckhurst, T. (2019). Honduras v El Salvador: The football match that kicked off a war
June 27. BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-48673853
ABC News (2001). Game of Soccer Gets Nobel Peace Nomination’. January 23
https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=81640&page=1
Gramsci, A. (1971). Selections from Prison Notebooks. London: Lawrence and Wishart.
Tuathail, G. (2003). Thinking Critically about Geopolitics. In Tuathail G., Dalby, S., and
Routledge P. The Geopolitics Reader. London: Taylor and Francis, 1-12.
3. Democracy, Civil Society & Football (23.2.)
DISCUSSION LEADER:
Lago, I., Lago-Peñas, C. & Lago-Peñas, S. (2016) Democracy and Football. Social Science
Quarterly, 97: 1282-1294. https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.12281
Butterworth, M.L. (2007) The Politics of the Pitch: Claiming and Contesting Democracy
Through the Iraqi National Soccer Team, Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies, 4:2,
184-203, DOI: 10.1080/14791420701296554
Mudde, C. (2025) Soccer as Civil Society. In Bowman, K. & Boyd, J.B. (eds.). Soccer,
Globalization, and Innovation: The Beautiful Game in the 21st Century.
London: Routledge, 23-37.
Knijnik, J. (2014) Playing for freedom: Sócrates, futebol-arte and democratic struggle in
Brazil, Soccer & Society, 15:5, 635-654, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2014.912014
OPTIONAL
Simón, J.A. & García-Martí, C. (2022) ‘Gold slaves’: unionism and football in Spain during
the democratic transition , Sport in Society, 25:11, 2268-2283, DOI:
10.1080/17430437.2021.1932821
Diamond, L. (1990) Three paradoxes of democracy. Journal of Democracy, 1(3), 48-60.
Schmitter, P.C., & Karl, T.L. (1991). What Democracy Is. . . and Is Not. Journal of
Democracy 2(3), 75-88. https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.1991.0033.
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Morlino, L. (2004) What is a ‘good’ democracy?. Democratization, 11(5), 10-32, DOI:
10.1080/13510340412331304589
4. Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, Sportwashing & Football (2.3.)
DISCUSSION LEADER:
Watch:
DW Kick off! (2022). WHY football is complicit in Putin's war.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dXvvZU77Ao&list=PLeEtWQYUQ8QdZLq0TTlCq95s
ETSog_4IW&index=17
Is Trump giving the FIFA World Cup a MAGA makeover? | BBC Americast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8keOLTGAZA (alternatively listen on:
https://www.bbc.com/audio/play/w3ct8byt)
Readings:
Adam, R. (2020) Football and authoritarianism in twentieth century Romania: between
propaganda and subversion, Soccer & Society, 21:6, 657-666, DOI:
10.1080/14660970.2020.1775043
Bromberger, C. (2020) Football and the authoritarian regime in Iran, Soccer & Society, 21:6,
692-698, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2020.1775046
Ganji, S. K. (2022). How Qatar Became a World Leader in Sportswashing, Journal
of Democracy, November. https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/how-qatar-became-a-world-
leader-in-sportswashing/
OPTIONAL
Irak, D. (2020) Football in Turkey during the Erdoğan regime, Soccer & Society, 21:6, 680-
691, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2020.1775045
Bar-On, T (2018) Reflections on soccer, sovereignty and the state of exception. Soccer &
Society, 19:4, 534-559, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2016.1221824
Necsutu, M (2021). Football as Tool of Soft Power in Hungary’s Hands. Balkan Insight.
September 27 https://balkaninsight.com/2021/09/27/football-as-tool-of-soft-power-in-
hungarys-hands/
Zidan, K. (2017). Return of football to Aleppo highlights regime’s political theatrics |
openDemocracy
Glasius, M. (2018) What authoritarianism is … and is not: a practice perspective,
International Affairs, 94 (3), 515–533, https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiy060
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Lipset, S. M. (1959). Democracy and Working-Class Authoritarianism. American
Sociological Review, 24(4), 482–501. https://doi.org/10.2307/2089536
Levitsky, S., & Way, L. A. (2002). The rise of competitive authoritarianism. Journal of
Democracy, 13(2), 51-65.
Watch:
DW Kick off! (2024a). HOW Germany’s Nazis hijacked football.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlmPyCchrXM
DW Kick off! (2024b). WHY did Newcastle fans welcome Saudi Arabia?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtNX1QSztYc
5. Nationalism, Identity, & Football (9.3.)
DISCUSSION LEADER:
Readings:
Duerr, G.M.E. (2017) Civic integration or ethnic segregation? Models of ethnic and civic
nationalism in club football/soccer, Soccer & Society, 18:2-3, 204-217, DOI:
10.1080/14660970.2016.1166767
Hassan, D. & Ferguson, K. (2019) Still as divided as ever? Northern Ireland, football and
identity 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement, Soccer & Society, 20:7-8, 1071-1083,
DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2019.1680504
Palmer, C. (2009) Soccer and the politics of identity for young Muslim refugee women in
South Australia, Soccer & Society, 10:1, 27-38
Molnar, G., & Whigham, S. (2021). Radical right populist politics in Hungary: Reinventing
the Magyars through sport. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 56(1), 133-148.
OPTIONAL
Özvatan, Ö. (2019). Radical-right backlash against Games of Belonging: the case of Mesut
Özil | openDemocracy
Krasnoff, L. S. (2017). Devolution of Les Bleus as a Symbol of a Multicultural French
History. Soccer & Society, 18(2-3), 311-319.
Anderson, B. (1991) Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of
Nationalism. London: Verso.
Mylonas, H. & Tudor, M. (2023). Varieties of Nationalism. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
6. Xenophobia, (Anti-)Racism & Football (16.3.)
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DISCUSSION LEADER:
Watch:
DW Kick off! (2024). WHY we see black and white footballers differently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RyBrRKqL0c
Readings:
Braneck, D. (2019). Far-Right Extremism Divides Germany’s Most Notorious Soccer Derby.
The Nation. November 10 https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/berlin-wall-germany-
soccer/
Mashigo, P., van Sterkenburg, J., De la Hera, T., & Ferreira Goncalves, J. F. (2025). One
rotten apple or a rotten tree: football leaders’ perceptions of racism in European
football. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 48(5), 1087–1109.
Horvath, K. & Rosenberg, J. (2010). EUROSCHOOLS 2008: The Difficult
Relationship of Culture, Nation and Anti-Racism in UEFA’s Campaign Work. Soccer &
Society, 11(6), 829-842.
Dixon, K., Lowe, J., and Gibbons, T. (2016) Show Racism The Red Card: potential barriers to
the effective implementation of the anti-racist message, Soccer & Society, 17:1, 140-
154, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2014.919280
OPTIONAL
Tamir; I. & Bernstein, A. (2015) Do they even know the national anthem? Minorities in
service of the flag – Israeli Arabs in the national football team, Soccer & Society, 16:5-6, 745-
764, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2014.963316
Kassimeris, C. (2011) Fascism, separatism and the ultràs: discrimination in Italian
football, Soccer & Society, 12:5, 677-688, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2011.599586
Kassimeris, C., Lawrence, S. & Pipini, M (2022). Racism in Football. Soccer & Society,
23(8), 824-833.
Moran, R (2000). Racism in Football: A Victim’s Perspective. Soccer & Society, 1(1), 190-
200.
7. Gender, Sexuality, & Football (23.3.)
DISCUSSION LEADER:
Readings:
Caudwell, J. (2011) Gender, feminism and football studies, Soccer & Society, 12:3, 330-344,
DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2011.568099
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Azad, C. (2024) Instagram as a tool of ‘social navigation’: women’s soccer in the Islamic
Republic of Iran - between censorship and (r)evolution, Soccer & Society, 25:2, 240-255,
DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2023.2265198
Bertho, B., Grange-Omokaro,F., Douna, I. M., & Malatesta, D. (2024) Playing football in
Cameroon as a girl: a match for equality, Soccer & Society, 25:2, 225-239, DOI:
10.1080/14660970.2023.2265197
Cashmore, E. and Cleland, J. (2012), Fans, homophobia and masculinities in association
football: evidence of a more inclusive environment. The British Journal of Sociology, 63:
370-387.
OPTIONAL
Cashmore E., Dixon, K. & Cleland, J. (2023) Why are There STILL No Gay Professional
Association Football Players in Men’s Major Leagues? Revisiting the Views of Football Fans
in the United Kingdom, Journal of Homosexuality, 70:8, 1653-1673, DOI:
10.1080/00918369.2022.2040927
Dixon, K., Cleland, J., & Cashmore E. (2023) Banter and the rise of LGBTQ+ awareness in
football cultures: a bourdieusian approach, Soccer & Society, DOI:
10.1080/14660970.2023.2288835
Fossard, B. (2024) Women footballers in Indochina: a place in the stadium?, Soccer &
Society, 25:2, 161-173, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2023.2265199
Eskandari, Z.T., (2022) ‘We support football in our heart’: female football fandom in Iran,
Soccer & Society, 23:3, 258-270, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2022.2037208
Magrath, R. (2021). Gay Male Football Fans’ Experiences: Authenticity, Belonging and
Conditional Acceptance. Sociology, 55(5), 978-994.
8. Soccer against the Enemy 1 (30.3. SUBSTITUTE DATE TBD – 7.4.?)
Readings:
Kuper, S. Soccer against the Enemy. Chapters: 1 to 15
9. Soccer against the Enemy 2 (13.4.)
Readings:
Kuper, S. Soccer against the Enemy. Chapters: 15 to 21
OPTIONAL
Kuper, S. Soccer against the Enemy. Postscript
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10. Fans: Political Activism & Protest (20.4.)
DISCUSSION LEADER:
Readings:
Montague, J. 1312: Introduction, Chapters 8, 9, 11, 12
Gilbert, A. (2018) Tri vjere, jedna nacija, država Tuzla! Football fans, political protest and
the right to the city in postsocialist Bosnia–Herzegovina, Soccer & Society, 19:3, 373-399,
DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2017.1335487
Watch
COPA90 (2020). Ultras, Billionaires, and Protests: What English football must learn from
Germany. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5BqHiLFW00
OPTIONAL
Montague, J. 1312: Chapters 10, 13, 14
Irak, D. (2018) ‘Shoot some pepper gas at me!’ football fans vs. Erdoğan: organized
politicization or reactive politics?, Soccer & Society, 19:3, 400-417, DOI:
10.1080/14660970.2017.1333675
Tuastad, D. (2014) From football riot to revolution. The political role of football in the Arab
world, Soccer & Society, 15:3, 376-388, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2012.753541
Benkwitz, A, and Molnar, G. (2012) Interpreting and exploring football fan rivalries: an
overview, Soccer & Society, 13:4, 479-494, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2012.677224
Kennedy, D. and Kennedy, P. (2013) Introduction: reflections on the context of ‘Left Wing’
fan cultures, Soccer & Society, 14:2, 117-131, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2013.77646
Merkel, U. (2012) Football fans and clubs in Germany: conflicts, crises and
compromises, Soccer & Society, 13:3, 359-376, DOI: 10.1080/14660970.2012.655505
Watch
DW Kick off! (2020). HOW German fans want to transform football.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d23RAPGXXr8
11. Fans: Hooligans & Ultras (27.4.)
DISCUSSION LEADER:
Readings:
Montague, J. 1312: Chapters 2, 4, 5
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Spaaij, R., & Testa, A. (2016). Football Hooliganism. In Hughson J., Moore K., Spaaij R. &
Maguire,J. (eds.) Routledge Handbook of Football Studies. London: Routledge, pp. 364-374.
Testa, A. (2009). The ultraS: an emerging social movement?. Review of European Studies,
1(2), 54-63.
Watch
DW Kick off! (2019). Policing Football in Germany: Are fans mistreated?.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K80aYtIAsXA
OPTIONAL
Montague, J. 1312: Chapters 1, 3, 6, 7
Barrie, T. (2020). ‘The far right has always been interested in football as a way to recruit’:
James Montague on going Among The Ultras. GQ. March 13 https://www.gq-
magazine.co.uk/sport/article/james-montague-interview-football-ultras
Pankowski, R., Witkowski, P. (2023). “Death to enemies of the fatherland”: Violent RightWing
Extremism infiltration of the milieu of Polish football hooligans. In Kuczyński, P. (ed.)
The Virus of Radicalization. Warsaw: Collegium Civitas. 159-187. Available at
https://civitas.edu.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/VoR-Pankowski-Witkowski-Violent-Right-
Wing-Extremism-infiltration-07.pdf
Spaaij, R., and Viñas, C. (2005). Passion, politics and violence: A socio‐historical analysis of
Spanish ultras, Soccer & Society, 6:1, 79-96, DOI: 10.1080/146609705200033703
Testa, A. (2022). Waves of Extremism: An Applied Ethnographic Analysis of the Bosnia and
Herzegovina Football Terraces. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 4.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2022.770441
Listening & Watching:
Montague, J. (2020). Ultras (RADIKAAL podcast). Available at
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1134467/4006796
COPA90 (2021). And We Tell You: The Origins of Italian Ultras.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOfSxCWAbxA
HOOLIGANS: Foreign Fields EP 3/3 | BBC Documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-txeBksiDk&rco=1
Donal MacIntyre: Infiltrating The Chelsea Headhunters | BBC Documentary | 10/11/1999
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-TrNXmjQB0