James M. Dorsey

Women, Soccer and Islam: A Potent Mix

Women, Soccer and Islam: A Potent Mix

JAMES DORSEY: Even though Saudi Arabia did not qualify for the World Cup it’s being followed avidly by women in the Kingdom

 James M. Dorsey

Sectarian Divisions Being Played Out on the Football Field

Sectarian Divisions Being Played Out on the Football Field

Sectarian divisions fuelling conflict across the Middle East have spilt on to the soccer pitch with Iraq’s decision to boycott the Gulf Cup and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) warning the Iraqi government not to interfere in the game. It is hard to separate the divisions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims that governments in Bahrain […]

 Jonathan Cook

Israel’s ‘Football Coup’ Prompts BDS Focus on Sport

Israel’s ‘Football Coup’ Prompts BDS Focus on Sport

JONATHAN COOK: Israelis are basking in the warm glow of playing host to a major international sporting event. Is it though the beginning of a South African style campaign focused on sport?

 Steve Royston

Football: Buying into Globalised Britain

Football: Buying into Globalised Britain

Top flight football in England continues to be at the wild frontier of business – to the extent that it’s a business at all. I’m with Richard Bevan, the chief executive of the English League Managers Association when he says that the number of sackings of soccer managers in the English professional game is “embarrassing”.

STEVE ROYSTON: Many of their forays into football look like bouts of temporary insanity from where I stand. But then I guess it’s more fun than investing in a bank, and no more risky.

 Editor, MEP

Video: UAE Wins Gulf Cup

Good times in the UAE, as the Gulf Country beats Iraq to take the Gulf Cup in 2013.

 James M. Dorsey

Port Said Clashes ‘Foretaste of What’s To Come’

Port Said Clashes ‘Foretaste of What’s To Come’

JAMES DORSEY: It seems that ‘ultra’ football fans in Egypt are gearing up for greater and fiercer conflict in the months ahead.

 James M. Dorsey

Syrian Football Victory ‘a Unifier’? Afraid Not

Syrian Football Victory ‘a Unifier’? Afraid Not

JAMES M. DORSEY: This weekend’s Syrian victory over Iraq in a soccer match is being seized by the regime as ‘a great national achievement’.

 James M. Dorsey

Top International Footballers Call for Action Against Israel

Top International Footballers Call for Action Against Israel

JAMES M. DORSEY: Four young Palestinian footballers were killed in a bombing during Israel’s assault on Gaza. Enough is enough, say some top footballers.

 Steve Royston

‘Bahrain in English Football Coup’: GDN Silence

‘Bahrain in English Football Coup’: GDN Silence

STEVE ROYSTON: You would have thought that the role of a respected Bahrain financial house in the purchase of an English football team would have been cause for celebration

 Jonathan Cook

The Interview That Spoke Volumes About Gaza Attack

The Interview That Spoke Volumes About Gaza Attack

JONATHAN COOK: CNN was determined to follow the script of ‘equivelance’ when broadcasting an interview with a Gazan and an Israeli. Events took over, though.

 Mondoweiss

‘Reprehensible’ Media Coverage of Gaza Attack

‘Reprehensible’ Media Coverage of Gaza Attack

MONDOWEISS: The coverage of the Gaza attack by mainstream media has invoked the outrage of leading academics and commentators on Middle East affairs

 James M. Dorsey

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

Bin Hammam Investigation Grows: AFC In Frame

JAMES M. DORSEY: The financial management of the Asian Football Confederation during Mohammed bin Hammam’s reign is under investigation

 James M. Dorsey

Palestinian Footballer Relives Horror of Detention

Palestinian Footballer Relives Horror of Detention

ANDREA LUCHETTA: Mahmoud Al Sarsak’s detention became an international cause celebre. He has recounted his experience in Israeli jail

 James M. Dorsey

Defensive Blunder: Hamas’ Football Boycott Call

Defensive Blunder: Hamas’ Football Boycott Call

JAMES M. DORSEY: Palestinians of all ages are huge fans of the Spanish football giants Barcelona FC. When Hamas called for a boycott of their match this week it fell on deaf ears.

 James M. Dorsey

Gulf Finance House Deal Good for Leeds United?

Gulf Finance House Deal Good for Leeds United?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Leeds United’s negotiations for a takeover by Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House (GFH) may not give it access to the funding that has boosted the fortunes of others…

 James M. Dorsey

Duo Out: Major Victory for Egypt’s Football Militants

Duo Out: Major Victory for Egypt’s Football Militants

JAMES M. DORSEY: Two leading football executives have withdrawn from election to the Egyptian Football Association. The Ultras have prevailed

 James M. Dorsey

Middle East Football Investment: No Guarantees

Middle East Football Investment: No Guarantees

JAMES M. DORSEY: The key question for Leeds supporters should be who is the investor and what is the purpose of the acquisition; those are questions that have yet to be answered.

 James M. Dorsey

Militant Fans Once Again Battle for Egypt’s Future

Militant Fans Once Again Battle for Egypt’s Future

JAMES M. DORSEY: The opposing fans of Cairo soccer clubs Al Zamalek and Al Ahly are engaged in a separate but parallel struggle with the authorities

 James M. Dorsey

Egypt ‘Tests the Waters’ With Lift on ‘Soccer Fan Ban’

Egypt ‘Tests the Waters’ With Lift on ‘Soccer Fan Ban’

JAMES M. DORSEY: The Egyptian authorities are moving tentatively to check how radicalised football fans will react to the lifting of a ban on their attendance at matches.

 James M. Dorsey

Egyptian Football: A Litmus Test of Morsi’s Control

Egyptian Football: A Litmus Test of Morsi’s Control

JAMES M. DORSEY: The debate about soccer is as much about politics as it is about sports. It is a debate that is likely to be fought out politically rather than on the pitch.

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