Race to the Bottom Podcast

Joe Harman
Race to the Bottom Podcast

Brought to you by Joe Harman, Race to the Bottom is the football podcast that discusses the crucial, wider issues affecting football, bridging the gap between the game we love and the world we live in. Each month the podcast will focus on topics of race, politics, governance, finance, gender, arts and ethics, in the hope of raising awareness of the social responsibilities of the game.

  1. Disinformation in football: A talk with Marc Owen Jones on; social media, astro-turfing and sock puppets.

    30/04/2020

    Disinformation in football: A talk with Marc Owen Jones on; social media, astro-turfing and sock puppets.

    This weeks interview features Marc Owen Jones, Assistant Professor for Middle Eastern Studies at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar. Mark's specialises in the field of social media disinformation He spoke with @ginolasleftfoot about its growing presence in football's ever complex landscape. Mark breaks down the evolution of social media disinformation and how it is being weaponized to distort narratives in the world of football. Further reading of Mark's work can be found here. As always, you can follow and subscribe to Race to the Bottom Podcast here.

    37 min
  2. Miguel Delaney talks Saudi Arabia, Newcastle and end-games.

    25/04/2020

    Miguel Delaney talks Saudi Arabia, Newcastle and end-games.

    The take over of Newcastle Utd by the state wealth fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia is imminent. It casts a tremendous shadow over the morality of football. Many human rights organisations have spoken out against the proposed purchased of the historical North Eastern football club. Amnesty International, Fairsquare and Human Rights Foundation are among several bodies to have issued statements to the EPL's CEO Richard Masters, in hope of preventing the takeover going through. Miguel Delaney, Chief Football Writer of The Independent, spoke with @RTTBPodcast about the issues regarding the takeover. You can follow via @RTTBPodcast and subscribe here.

    24 min
  3. Facial Recognition Tech. An interview with Amanda Jacks of Football Supporters’ Trust on privacy and policing.

    11/11/2019

    Facial Recognition Tech. An interview with Amanda Jacks of Football Supporters’ Trust on privacy and policing.

    This week I spoke with Amanda Jacks of @FSA_Faircop . We discuss the recent report that facial recognition technology was used in conjunction with traditional policing methods during the recent Swansea vs Cardiff match. The topic proves a difficult one to currently assess as little legislation or governance exists to monitor or regulate it's use. This link from the Home Office gives an overview of the current framework of FRT's use and highlights the role of South Swales Police trialling live facial recognition ( LFR ) . Privacy rights organisations such as Liberty and @BigBrotherwatch have campaigned extensively to ensure the rise of invasive data surveillance is limited and monitored. Football fans will need to be aware of the growing possibility that in time, sporting events will testing stations for digital screening. This is a deep read from BigBrotherWatch's site regarding Scotland's use of facial recognition technology which they worked on with Open Rights Group. Please follow and subscribe to the podcast, and as always, all sharing of my pod is deeply appreciated.

    26 min
  4. An interview with WSJ’s Senior Sports Writer, Rachel Bachman.

    01/10/2019

    An interview with WSJ’s Senior Sports Writer, Rachel Bachman.

    In this week's episode, I talk with Rachel Bachman, Senior Sports Writer for the Wall Street Journal, about her recent findings concerning the profit and cost status of the Womens World Cup '19. Rachel discusses the implications of an error in the FIFA financial report, and its wider reaching effects. You can find more of Rachel's work at the @wsj and via @BachmanScore. If you enjoy the podcast then check out my other episodes, please share, like and subscribe via your platforms.

    18 min
  5. Politics in the MLS – An interview with Jules Boykoff.

    08/09/2019

    Politics in the MLS – An interview with Jules Boykoff.

    A stand off has arisen in the MLS over a ruling that Portland Timbers fans, mainly those of the Timbers Army, along with all who attend MLS matches, cannot fly the Iron Front Symbol, due to its political connotations and links with the Antifa movement. Race to the Bottom spoke with Professor Jules Boykoff of Portland University, to unpack the wider implications of the MLS's stance and activism's growing voice in sport. Please follow here and subscribe here.

    32 min
  6. Bury FC in Exile…an interview with football writer Peter Taylor.

    22/08/2019

    Bury FC in Exile…an interview with football writer Peter Taylor.

    Friday, August the 23rd will for most of us be regular day. If you support Bury FC, it will not be a regular day. It will be the day when perhaps one of the oldest clubs in the world, ceases to exist. When generations of loyal, loving Shakers fans will see their club removed from the Football League. Peter Taylor, writer and blogger of the excellent burymeinexile.com shares his thoughts and feelings regarding his beloved Bury FC. Should you wish to subscribe to Race to the Bottom podcasts, you can do so here, and here and also here.

    32 min
  7. An interview with football artist, Dan Leydon.

    12/08/2019

    An interview with football artist, Dan Leydon.

    Dan Leydon is a man who's work you will have seen. If you love football that is. Nike, ESPN, BTSport, Liverpool to name a few. Dan's unique style of art has exploded through Twitter and Instagram. And his iconic images have become symbolic with football's interwoven relationship with social media. Speaking with Dan gave me an enormous insight to the level of commitment that illustrators put themselves through before their work finally reaches the point of it being received by the public. Those of you who haven't come across Dan's work, should request to be allowed out of your cave and check him out. dan.leydon.com , @dan.leydon on Twitter and Instagram @danleydon . I appreciate all listeners and subscribers to Race to the Bottom Podcast . Any who haven't yet subscribed can do so here.

    42 min
  8. Man City, Mansour and sportswashing. An interview with Nic McGeehan.

    29/07/2019

    Man City, Mansour and sportswashing. An interview with Nic McGeehan.

    This week's episode focusses on the work of Human Rights researcher and reporter, Nic McGeehan. His wealth of knowledge on the Man City take-over in September 2008 hones in on the issues of governance and morality. Nic's work with Human Rights Watch and Open Democracy highlights the paradox of perennial human rights abusers and their acceptance into the lauded platform of elite football club ownership. He was previously the Bahrain, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates researcher at Human Rights Watch and having lived in the U.A.E for a number of years is a voice to be listened regarding these matters. I highly recommend a read of Nic's football related articles and his work at @HRW . Those of you who listen and enjoy the podcast can download and subscribe here.

    37 min
See All (18)

4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Brought to you by Joe Harman, Race to the Bottom is the football podcast that discusses the crucial, wider issues affecting football, bridging the gap between the game we love and the world we live in. Each month the podcast will focus on topics of race, politics, governance, finance, gender, arts and ethics, in the hope of raising awareness of the social responsibilities of the game.

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