The Defiant – a history of football against fascism

“The Defiant, with its cover inspired by a Republican Spanish Civil War-era poster, details the ‘history of football against fascism’. It comes out to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Mussolini’s ‘March on Rome’, when Mussolini came to power in Italy, leading the world’s first fascist government (see ‘100 years since Mussolini’s March on Rome’). From the start, Mussolini both used and faced opposition from football, and that’s where the book begins, looking at players who refused to give the fascist salute before matches in the new Serie A football league founded by Mussolini in 1929. Author Chris Lee points out that the rise of fascism in the 1930s coincided with sporting events becoming truly international during the decade. Both the World Cup and Olympics were held in countries with fascist governments, in Italy in 1934, and Berlin in 1936, respectively. …” Socialist Party
The Defiant – a history of football against fascism
When Friday Comes: Football revolution in the Middle East and the road to the Qatar World Cup
Va-Va-Voom: The Modern History of French Football

“… On the other side of Europe, the former republic of Yugoslavia found itself in the midst of the war that went on to claim an estimated 140,000 lives. In his excellently researched book, Chris Etchingham examines the role football had in stoking national tensions, but also how it has worked as a tool of reconciliation since the end of the conflict. The collapse of Yugoslavia can be traced to the death of Josip Tito in 1980, an event that occurred during a match between two of the country’s biggest clubs; Hajduk Split of Croatia and Red Star Belgrade of Serbia. When he was informed of what had happened, the referee abandoned the game in the first half as many of those in the stands broke down in tears. …” Johnnie Lowery
Emancipation for Goalposts: Football’s Role in the Fall of Yugoslavia
Remarkable Football Grounds
European Football Maps
Forza Sankt Pauli: FC St. Pauli: Supporting a radical football club in a polarised political age

“Since 1930, the World Cup has become a truly global obsession. It is the most watched sporting event on the planet, and 211 teams competed to make it into the 2022 tournament. From its inception, it has also been a vehicle for far more than soccer. A tool for self-mythologizing and influence-peddling, The World Cup has played a crucial role in nation-building, and continues to, as countries negotiate their positions in a globalized world. The Power and the Glory is a comprehensive history of the matches and goals, the tales of scandal and triumph, the haggling and skulduggery of the bidding process, and the political and cultural tides behind every tournament. …” bbgb Books
The Power and the Glory: The History of the World Cup