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

Added on 20/01/2014 James M. Dorsey Association football , Beitar Jerusalem , Beitar Jerusalem F.C. , Bnei Sakhnin F.C. , Definitions of Palestinian , Faysal Khatib , Israel , Israeli–Palestinian conflict , John Kerry , Nationalism , Palestinian Territories , Palestinian terrorism , Politics , Soccer , Social Issues , Sports , Zionism

Bigotry and Racism: The Ugly Face of Israeli Soccer

JAMES DORSEY: It’s a depressing story that only seems to worsen by the day – racism in Israeli soccer is blight on its society.

Added on 15/10/2013 James M. Dorsey Ali Bin Al Hussein , Arabian Peninsula , Asia , Asian Football Confederation , Bahrain , Basra , Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , FIFA , Football , International reactions to the 2011–2012 Bahraini uprising , Iran , Iraq , Iraq national football team , Iraqi Football Association , Iraqi government , Kuwait , Member states of the Arab League , Member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation , Member states of the United Nations , Persian Gulf countries , Politics , President , Prince , Saudi Arabia , Shi'a–Sunni relations , Soccer , Sports , United Arab Emirates , War/Conflict , Western Asia

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 […]

Added on 21/09/2013 James M. Dorsey Abdullah , Arabian Peninsula , Asia , Bahrain , Doha , Fifa World Cup , GFH Capital , Leeds , Member states of the Arab League , Member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , Member states of the United Nations , Prince , Qatar , Soccer , Sports , United Arab Emirates , Western Asia

‘Buy Low, Sell High’: Gulf Investors New Football Strategy

JAMES DORSEY: The recent acquisition by a Saudi Prince of a lower-tier English football team points to a new direction for Middle Eastern magnates

Added on 11/06/2013 James M. Dorsey Ali Khamenei , Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution , Asia , Iran , Iranian election protests , Iranian presidential election , Mahmoud Ahmadinejad , Mohammed Khatami , Politics , President , Presidential candidate , Ruhollah Khomeini , Soccer , Sports , Tehran , World Cup

World Cup Qualifier Comes At A ‘Volatile Moment’ in Iran

JAMES M. DORSEY: Today’s World Cup qualifier will be monitored closely by the authorities in Tehran

Added on 07/06/2013 Jonathan Cook Asia , Avi Luzon , BDS , Boycott Divestment and Sanctions , Boycotts of Israel , Cederovtala tutun ATSC , Football , Gaza Strip , Human rights in Israel , Human rights in the Palestinian territories , Israel , Israel and the apartheid analogy , Israeli Football Association , Israeli–Palestinian conflict , Mahmoud Sarsak , Middle East , Omar Barghouti , Politics , Sports , UEFA , War/Conflict , Western Asia , Zionism

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?