This week’s broadcast episode features highlights from the week’s podcasts, as well as commentary on today’s games. Alan Minsky interviews David Goldblatt, author of “Futebol Nation,” on the history of soccer in Brazil, and blogger Jennifer Doyle on combating entrenched patriarchy in global soccer. OC Weekly’s “Ask a Mexican!” author Gustavo Arellano celebrates the spectacular success of Mexico’s national team; and finally, Meleiza Figueroa speaks with urban geographer Chris Gaffney on the demonstrations in Brazil, and how the transformation of space inside and outside the stadiums affect Brazilian society and the very nature of the “beautiful game.”
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As Nigeria faces off against Argentina today, we pay tribute to Justin Fashanu, Nigerian-English striker and the first openly gay professional footballer. Born in inner-city London to immigrant parents, he enjoyed a successful career in English club soccer, being the first black player to command a transfer fee of 1 million pounds.
Fashanu came out publicly in 1990 with an interview in an English tabloid, and bore the brunt of football fandom’s twin demons: racism and homophobia. Accused of sexual assault in 1998, Fashanu committed suicide. In his last note, he insisted on his innocence, lamenting that “justice isn’t always fair. I felt I wouldn’t get a fair trial because of my homosexuality.”
Justin Fashanu is still remembered today by LGBT activists fighting against homophobia in global football. His example is particularly relevant in today’s Nigeria, a football-loving nation under the yoke of both anti-gay legislation and anti-soccer attacks from Boko Haram.
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On today’s podcast, we take on the politics of food – specifically, Luis Suarez’s choice of snack in the 80th minute of the Uruguay-Italy match. Alan and Meleiza discuss today’s bizarre events. Then, we speak with David Goldblatt, soccer historian and author of Futebol Nation: The Story of Brazil through Soccer. Next, People’s Game correspondent Lezar Treschan helps us make sense of Uruguayan gastronomy; and finally, Gustavo Arellano celebrates Mexico’s glorious victory over Croatia and their advancement to the second round.
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As Ivory Coast kicks off against Greece, we cheer on Didier Drogba, the footballer who ended a war. After qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, Drogba and his teammates appealed to their fellow citizens to lay down their guns after 5 years of civil war. A ceasefire was soon called, and Drogba became a hero to Ivorians and peacemakers everywhere.
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On today’s podcast, we focus on Mexico and the Netherlands, whose victories today mean they will face off against each other in the Round of 16. Alan and Meleiza recap Holland’s win, as well as El Tri’s ecstatic victory and how the rise of CONCACAF may reflect on Europe’s dominance of the game, and give a preview of tomorrow’s matches. KPFK’s Antonio Gonzalez speaks with David Brooks of La Jornada on how Mexico’s conservative government is using the team’s glory to distract people from the dramatic and reactionary economic reforms being rammed through the legislature. Finally, we reprise Alan Minsky’s 2010 interview with David Winner, author of “Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer.”
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Today we celebrate Mexico’s triumph on the field by honoring its rebel side: the famed EZLN FC. In 2005, Subcomandante Marcos challenged world-class Italian club team Internazionale Milan to a friendly match, as a gesture of appreciation for the solidarity and support given to the Zapatistas by the club – especially from its captain, the famed Javier Zanetti.
Unfortunately, the match was never actually played – but EZLN’s futbol team did find a few moments of glory on the field. Banksy, the famed street artist, came to Chiapas in 1999 to paint murals commemorating the Zapatistas’ passion for the sport (including the mural pictured here). Banksy’s own team, the anarchist Easton Cowboys from Bristol, were the first European football team to traveled to Chiapas and play with the rebel club, raising money to initiate clean water projects for Zapatista communities.
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Another amazing day of high drama at the World Cup! Belgium squeaks by with a last-minute goal, Algeria shines with 4 goals, and USA vs Portugal keep the world on the edge of their seats til the very end. Alan Minsky speaks with Pablo Miralles on the USA vs Portugal shocker and what it means for Team USA and its fans. Alan and Meleiza review the day’s matches, look forward to tomorrow, and address the fraught question: to root or not to root for Team USA? Finally, KPFK’s Suzi Weissman has an extended conversation with Brazilian economist Pedro Paulo Zahluth Bastos.
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Another day of brilliant World Cup games! People’s Game resident Argentinian Karen Anzoategui relives the glory of St. Leo’s sublime goal that secured his canonization and victory in the 91st minute. Then, KPFK’s DJ Nnamdi revels in Nigeria’s victory over Bosnia; solace for a crisis-striken nation. Alan and Meleiza recap the day’s matches, including a glorious tie between Ghana and Germany, and look forward to tomorrow’s matches. The show closes with an all-new roundtable featuring comics Matt Kirshen, Mike Bridenstine, and Ryan Conner.
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Talk about wearing your politics on your sleeve!
As Argentina kicks off against Iran, we pay tribute to arguably the two most famous Argentines in history: the revolutionary fighter Che Guevara, and the revolutionary footballer, Diego Maradona.
Maradona, who is currently a World Cup commentator for left-wing media network Telesur, is perhaps as famous for his outsize personality as well as his brilliance on the field. Like his friend, the late Hugo Chávez, over the past decade he has railed against U.S. imperialism and argued for peaceful relations with Iran.
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On today’s podcast, Alan and Meleiza recap today’s games, including Costa Rica’s impressive upset of the Azzuri, and look forward to tomorrow’s matchups. KPFK’s Suzi Weissman gives us a view from the South, as she sits down for a chat with two Chileans, Arturo Cifuentes and Oscar Mendoza, as well as Brazilian economist Pedro Paulo Zahluth Bastos. Finally, we look on the funny side of this year’s World Cup with a hilarious roundtable from KPFK’s Pocho Hour of Power, hosted by Lalo Alcaraz and featuring comics Matt Kirshen, Mike Bridenstine, and Ryan Conner. Finally, we get a glimpse into LA’s Ecuadorian fan base with a report from Alan Kuey.
