The Football Faculty – Real Football Issues

Photo of the Week: Chaotic protests mar Africa Cup of Nations finale

Photo of the Week: Chaotic protests mar Africa Cup of Nations finale

Senegalese players leave the field in protest following referee Jean Jacques Ndala’s decision to award a stoppage time penalty to opponents Morocco. The African Cup of Nations is rarely devoid of drama, and at times chaos. Yet the finale to this years edition managed to leave the most avid of the competition’s viewers in a state of shock. Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 to lift the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for a second time, clinched by a later winner from Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye in the fourth minute of extra time. Those celebrations though were preceded by a temporary refusal to […]

How a World Cup became less about football and more about money

How a World Cup became less about football and more about money

Any remaining hope that FIFA might deliver an inclusive and accessible World Cup in 2026 has been extinguished over the past few weeks. A farcical group-stage draw was swiftly followed by confirmation of long-anticipated ticket prices; figures that will almost certainly price regular match-going fans out of attendance altogether. The upcoming World Cup will be reserved for the wealthy, or for those willing to incur significant debt for the privilege of being there. For many, this has served as final confirmation of football’s descent into the outstretched arms of unfettered capitalism: a game for the many, captured by the few. […]

Party Conference Special: Labour’s game plan for football reform

Party Conference Special: Labour’s game plan for football reform

This is the second in a series examining how the UK’s major political parties approach football policy. In this edition we have taken a look at Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, and its promise to rebuild football governance from the ground up. A Party Rooted in the People’s Game Under Keir Starmer, Labour’s historic connection to the national game has become policy. Labour has committed to introducing a ‘Football Governance Bill’ that would establish an independent regulator, charged with safeguarding the long-term sustainability of clubs and amplifying fans’ voices in the boardroom. The pledge echoes the fan-led review’s findings published in […]

Passport to play: Inside Malaysia’s football eligibility scandal

Passport to play: Inside Malaysia’s football eligibility scandal

For years, Malaysian football fans have dreamt of the day their national team would take centre stage. A proud Southeast Asian nation with a deep passion for the game, Malaysia has been steadily climbing the regional ladder, with qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup looking increasingly within reach. That moment in the spotlight has now arrived, but for all the wrong reasons. Last week, FIFA published its long-awaited report into allegations of document falsification by the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM). The governing body stands accused of manipulating player records to grant eligibility to seven members of the current national […]

Party Conference Special: The Liberal Democrats and Ed Davey’s fight for the fans

Party Conference Special: The Liberal Democrats and Ed Davey’s fight for the fans

This is the first in a series examining how the UK’s major political parties approach football policy. While many try to keep politics and football apart, The Football Faculty is doing the opposite, digging into what Britain’s politicians really have to say about the game that unites (and divides) the nation. First up: Sir Ed Davey’s Liberal Democrats, and their increasingly vocal campaign to reshape how fans experience the modern game. A Party that’s found its voice in Football In recent years, the Liberal Democrats have been among the most consistent critics of football governance in England. The party has […]

Napoli’s Armani partnership redefines how clubs build their brand

Napoli’s Armani partnership redefines how clubs build their brand

Traditionally, the elite of world football turn to global giants like Nike, Adidas, and Puma to kit out their stars. But in 2021, Napoli decided to rewrite the rules. When their deal with Kappa ended, the club took kit production in-house, signalling a new era for one of Serie A’s most distinctive clubs. Under owner Aurelio De Laurentiis, Napoli have never been content with the ordinary. Their partnership with EA7, the sportswear line of luxury fashion house Emporio Armani, was another creative move for an audacious club. If PSG’s Jordan collaboration married sport and streetwear, Napoli went a step further: […]

Tottenham Hotspur ‘not for sale’—but can we really trust that?

Tottenham Hotspur ‘not for sale’—but can we really trust that?

The Board of Tottenham Hotspur were unequivocal in their dismissal of two expressions of interest for the purchase of the North London club. The shock departure of long-time Chairman and significant ENIC shareholder, Daniel Levy, had provoked widespread uncertainty and speculation around a potential takeover bid. Spurs were required to disclose preliminary expressions of interest under the UK’s Takeover Code—such interest originated from Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance Limited and a consortium led by Dr. Robert Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng. The response from current club ownership though was clear: “The Board of the Club and ENIC confirm that Tottenham Hotspur […]

Economics

Napoli’s Armani partnership redefines how clubs build their brandOctober 7, 2025
Tottenham Hotspur ‘not for sale’—but can we really trust that?September 25, 2025
The World Cup of Capitalism: Mamdani takes Aim at FIFA’s dynamic pricingSeptember 15, 2025
Why Aston Villa are proof loan-to-buy deals are taking over footballSeptember 3, 2025
Why the Premier League must get creative in response to Chelsea fan outrageMay 12, 2025

Politics

Photo of the Week: Chaotic protests mar Africa Cup of Nations finaleJanuary 19, 2026
How a World Cup became less about football and more about moneyDecember 14, 2025
Party Conference Special: Labour’s game plan for football reformNovember 3, 2025
Passport to play: Inside Malaysia’s football eligibility scandalOctober 14, 2025
Party Conference Special: The Liberal Democrats and Ed Davey’s fight for the fansOctober 11, 2025

Tactics

What really is a ‘super-sub’?November 5, 2024
Who is Norwich City’s James Maddison?July 8, 2018
Could this be the reason Arsenal have improved in recent times?October 22, 2015
Why did Manchester United neglect Mesut Ozil?October 9, 2015
The return of a European Monster? Roberto Mancini’s new project is taking off…September 27, 2015

American Football

Howie Roseman: The Philadelphia Eagles’ Master ManipulatorMarch 1, 2025
Super Bowl LIX: Following the Money Behind the Biggest Event in American SportsFebruary 8, 2025
2025 College Football Playoff: Ratings and Roger GoodellFebruary 4, 2025
Are Notre Dame’s huge playoff payouts a Declaration of Independence? January 18, 2025

Photo of the Week