The Athletic FC Presents...

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The Underground World of Fake Football Shirts Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

Online searches for fake football shirts have gone up by over 500% since 2021, with the Premier league counterfeit market worth over £180m.

But what damage could they be causing you and others?

Adam Leventhal has spent the last nine months investigating the illicit trade of counterfeits, and uncovered some shocking details along the way.

Host: Adam Leventhal

Mixing: Jay Beale

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Featuring footage from: Sky News, Arsenal, Manchester United, Aston Villa, sdpeasyy, Culture Force

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Over: The Trial of Luis Rubiales Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

In August 2023, on the pitch in Sydney, Australia, Spanish forward Jenni Hermoso's life changed. But not in the way it should have.In a moment that became more widely known as "The Kiss" former Spanish Football Federation President Luis Rubiales, grabbed Hermoso's face and planted a kiss on her lips.

It became front page news around the world.In February 2025, Rubiales went on trial for one count of sexual assault and one of coercion. If he was found guilty of both counts, the prosecution was asking for a two and a half year prison sentence.In the end, following a two week trial, Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault but not guilty of coercion.

So, how did we get to this ruling?

Meg Linehan guides you through the full story, with the help of The Athletic's Spanish reporters, from the pitch in Sydney, to the hills of south Spain, over to the court room of Madrid. And ultimately ask one question, se acabó? Is it over?

______________________________

Credits

Host: Meg Linehan.

Contributors: Dermot Corrigan, Guillermo Rai, Laia Cervello and Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero.

Producer: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

Executive Producers: Abi Paterson and Emily Olsen

Featuring footage from: ABC News, Sky Sports, Al Jazeera, The Independent, Sky News, France 24 English, Fox, Jenni Hermoso Instagram, RFEF

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anatomy of a Transfer Feb 02, 2025

Show notes

Football fans are desperate for transfer news - and it's often bigger than the sport itself.

Open twice a year - in January and the summer - the transfer window changes the game.

But what actually goes on when deals are made?

Join Adam Leventhal as he goes behind the scenes at training grounds, stadiums and offices to explain the anatomy of a transfer and to breakdown the complex process of what a player goes through when they move from club to club.

Host: Adam Leventhal

Exec Prod: Abi Paterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Story of the Guinea Stadium Disaster Dec 15, 2024

Show notes

On December 1, one of the world’s worst stadium disasters unfolded. At the Stade du 3 Avril in Nzerekore, Guinea, a devastating crush led to chaos and, according to officials, the deaths of 56 people. But domestic human rights organisations believe they have verified that at least 135 people lost their lives that day.

The Athletic travelled to Nzerekore to visit the stadium, analyse what happened and speak to eyewitnesses and relatives of those involved. They are grieving and searching for the truth.

Content Warning: This show contains reporting that some listeners may find upsetting

Host: Adam Leventhal

Producer: Abi Paterson

News reporting: Channel 4, France News, Sky News

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sudan: Football and the Forgotten War Nov 24, 2024

Show notes

In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan. It continues to this day leaving in its wake the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations.

Despite this, Sudan’s national football team has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025 and tops its World Cup qualification group.

They are a source of hope to a nation left in ruins.

In this special episode of The Athletic FC Documentary we’ll take you into the war torn country where amateur matches continue amid the shelling, and football grounds have become burial grounds.

At a refugee camp in neighbouring Chad, we’ll hear of the horrors of war and how football is helping children there.

And hear how geo political influence, immigration and perilous journeys over land and sea are part of this journey with Sudan, football and a war struggling to be seen and heard.

Credits

Written and presented by Adam Leventhal

Produced by Abi Paterson

Additional reporting in collaboration with Tom Rhodes and Zemenfes Goudos GebreMikael

Featuring footage from beIN Sport, Al Jazeera, British Pathé, Sky News, Fairshot, SuperSport, Sudan FA

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Access All Areas: Brentford - Episode 4: European ambitions and the Ivan Toney dilemma Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

To round up our series on Brentford we answer the outstanding questions on the Bees.

What next for star striker Ivan Toney following his ban from football by the FA?

How far up the Premier League table can the club go?

And what are the club doing behind the scenes to ensure that they can keep improving year on year?

Plus we hear about the women's team and how the club are supporting them.

Hear from Chief Exec Jon Varney, Head Coach Thomas Frank, Captain Christian Norgaard, Performance Director Ben Ryan, Director of Football Phil Giles, Women's Head Coach Karleigh Osbourne, and Technical Director Lee Dykes on all this - and their thoughts on what the future holds for the club.

Host: Jay Harris

Producer: Abi Paterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Access All Areas: Brentford - Episode 3: Eriksen, Rowan, and the Heart of West London Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Brentford Football Club suffered a devastating loss to their staff in November 2018 when Technical Director Robert Rowan passed away in his sleep aged just 28 due to a fatal cardiomyopathy episode.

Christian Eriksen, the Danish international who had a heart attack on the pitch in 2021, was lucky. He survived and went on to play for Brentford from January 2022.

In this episode we bring you their stories and tell you about the work that the club is doing with their community to raise awareness for heart charities.

Hear from Robert's wife Suzanne Rowan, Head Coach Thomas Frank, Captain Christian Norgaard, Director of Football Phil Giles, B Team Head Coach Neil MacFarlane, Technical Director Lee Dykes and Director Nity Raj

Host: Jay Harris

Producer: Abi Paterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Access All Areas: Brentford - Episode 2: How to build a Premier League team Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

What are the questions reporter Jay Harris gets asked the most? How does Brentford's recruitment work? And are they the moneyball club?

Well in episode two we get all the answers, or at least as many as we could, from the staff and players at Brentford FC.

Hear from Technical Director Lee Dykes as he explains how he's built a unique data system to make sure Brentford can recruit the very best talent, at a much cheaper price than the rest of the Premier League. Plus he tells us how he builds squads and why he has 16 positions on the field, not 11.

Players Ben Mee and Christian Norgaard explain what persuaded them to join the West London outfit.

You'll also hear from Director of Football Phil Giles and manager Thomas Frank.

Oh, and don't call them moneyball.

Host: Jay Harris

Producer: Abi Paterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Access All Areas: Brentford - Episode 1: A bus stop in Hounslow Jul 24, 2023

Show notes

Jay Harris is given access all areas to one of the most intriguing clubs in the Premier League: Brentford.

The club had the lowest wage bill in the top tier and yet were able to do the double over champions Manchester City and in their short two year stay (so far) in the league, beaten the big six at least once. So how do they do it? That's what we're here to tell you.

First up, a whizz through the history of Brentford since owner Matthew Benham took over.

Hear from Chief Exec Jon Varney, Head Coach Thomas Frank, Captain Christian Norgaard, Performance Director Ben Ryan, Director of Football Phil Giles, Women's Head Coach Karleigh Osbourne, Technical Director Lee Dykes, Director Nity Raj and club announcer Peter Gilham as they tell the Bees' story

Host: Jay Harris

Producer: Abi Paterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Making of Messi: Part Three - Leaving a Legacy Jul 21, 2023

Show notes

In the third and final episode of this documentary series, presenter Mike Zimmermann explores the legacy that Lionel Messi will leave behind.

Matt Slater explains the motives behind the Saudi Pro League, and why Messi turned down nearly half $1 billion annually in favor of Major League Soccer.

The relationship between Messi and Inter Miami started back in 2018 — Paul Tenorio takes us through the initial interest from Miami, the inner workings of a contract that includes equity and profit-sharing from Apple and Adidas, and how Messi will change Major League Soccer, both on the field and off.

With MLS and Apple partnered for the next 10 years, a broadcast deal worth $2.5 billion, Richard Deitsch describes Lionel Messi's arrival in the US as "a massive catalyst" for Apple's soccer coverage and the media landscape.

You'll also hear from Andrés Cantor, legendary Telemundo Deportes broadcaster, about how Messi is viewed in Argentina leading up to the 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup, both being played in the United States.

Produced by Mike Zimmermann.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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