Where Politics and Soccer Align

watch the World Cup. Moscow, St. Petersburg, Sochi and nine other Russian cities will host the tournament despite the fact that the country has recently been the center of debate surrounding many international scandals including election meddling and chemical warfare. Domestically the country faces accusations of racism and numerous human rights abuses, including incidents which have actually occurred at soccer games. All of this has led some governments to boycott the event altogether.
Yet, the World Cup also offers a unique chance for both fans and nations alike to express national pride on the international stage. It is a global commodity closely tied to the politics and history of a nation. How did soccer become such a popular sport and how is national identity expressed for fans, players, and the countries hosting global tournaments? How is soccer connected to global politics and what can we learn from this year's World Cup?
Join Martha Saavedra, associate director at the Center for African Studies at UC Berkeley, and an expert in the relationship between sport and development to discuss these questions surrounding the world’s most popular sport, national identity, and politics.
SPEAKER:
Martha SaavedraAssociate Director, Center for African Studies, University of California Berkeley