Football
The hidden lives and dreams behind the 2022 World Cup
Real-life fantasy football — Every year, Qatar's migrant workers get to play in a football tournament of their own. For some, it's a much-needed form of escape. For others, it's a chance to be discovered. Acclaimed documentary The Workers Cup offers a glimpse into the shocking reality behind sport's greatest stage.
Written by: Cian Traynor
Neville Southall tackles… Homophobia and trans rights
Neville Knows Best — In his column 'Neville Knows Best', footballing legend turned Twitter sensation Neville Southall takes on the biggest issues of our time. This week he turns to look at the homophobia and transphobia that still permeates our society, and reflects on his own personal journey of understanding, accompanied by an original poem.
Written by: Neville Southall
Shooting the sidelines at Syria’s football cup final
Beautiful game — In a country torn apart by civil war, people are grasping for moments of relief – and football is one thing they turn to. It's also been weaponised and politicised, as photojournalist Sally Hayden grapples with at the Syrian Cup Final.
Written by: Sally Hayden
The all-women zine fusing fashion and football
Here come the girls — Smashing stereotypes in a male-dominated industry, SEASON is a new publication devoted to female football fans. Founder Felicia Pennant explains why it’s time we levelled the playing field.
Written by: Cady Siregar
The harrowing story of the UK’s first openly gay footballer
Forbidden games — Justin Fashanu was a figure of fascination for tabloids until, at the age of 36, he hanged himself. A new documentary from Adam Darke looks back on his legacy.
Written by: Alex Robert Ross
As NFL players take the knee, English football remains colourblind
From Where I Stand — The NFL is finally waking up to issues of race, both in and out of the game. Now more than ever, British football must follow suit, explains Alex Ross.
Written by: Alex Robert Ross
Exposing the disturbing racism in Israeli football
Forever Pure — Maya Zinshtein’s new documentary follows the stories of two Muslim players who get signed to the notoriously right-wing Beitar Jerusalem FC.
Written by: Biju Belinky
The world’s most successful gay football club is still fighting homophobia on the pitch
Pivot Points: Stories of Change — London-based photographer Theo McInnes is always on the frontlines when protests kick off, capturing the wave of youth-fuelled social change that is battling for a better future. In this edition of Pivot Points, stories that shift a photographer’s perspective, he meets a group of gay men who have been fighting the good fight since the year he was born – both on and off the pitch.
Written by: Theo McInnes
Photographer and subject: Who gains more?
Reflections on the ethics of artist vs. muse — When Jason Andrew exposed human trafficking in football, he found himself questioning his own role in the documentary game.
Written by: Jason Andrew
Capturing the many faces of real female football fans
This Fan Girl — After realising the portrayal of female football fans was pretty dire, friends Amy and Laura devised This Fan Girl, a photography project that shows the many faces of girls who love the beautiful game.
Written by: Ella Guthrie