Political Football
Warning! There will be some heavy topics in this essay including Racism, Antisemitism, Homophobia, Naziism, and Violence. Association Football (called Soccer in select countries,) like many sports, is not immune from the world of politics. While many Britons and Americans lament the idea that politics don’t end outside the voting booth, many football clubs around the world, including the US and England, have rich political histories, some even existing solely because of political differences. From tiny clubs like the overtly Marxist AS Livorno to world powerhouses like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, many teams have politics to thank for not only their creation but the existence of their “apolitical” fanbases today. The world of politics is ripe in football. Many popular clubs notable for their political base are Celtic FC and Rangers in Scotland; FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and essentially every other club in Spain; and Atalanta, AS Roma, Lazio, and Livorno in Italy are all ex...