The Sound of Football

FIFA's suspension of USA striker Folarin Balogun's red card ban has led to calls for its president, Gianni Infantino, to explain what appears to be flagrant corruption. Meanwhile, England put on one of the performances of this World Cup, battling high altitude and a febrile atmosphere to beat co-hosts Mexico in their fortress, the Azteca stadium in Mexico City. For more information on the podcast...

There weren't too many shocks in the group stage of this World Cup but it did at least have some surprises — the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde perhaps the most notable. Being in one of the first groups to complete their games, Scotland's exit from the tournament was slow. Yet another group stage exit sees them looking for a new head coach, with Steve Clarke stepping down. Iran's exit was perhaps...

Day 12 of the World Cup and we're past the halfway point of the group stage. Some teams have already progressed while some are already out. The megastars of the game have also arrived with Lionel Messi becoming the all-time leading scorer at World Cups but Kylian Mbappe is hard on his heels. England impressed in their opener against a talented Croatia side. Scotland meanwhile are in the unenviable...

The opening weekend of the World Cup has already provided a number of talking points. There have been surprises, new heroes, a sacked head coach and a statement performance from co-hosts USA. On the other hand, newly introduced rules, enhanced tech and hydration breaks have had a more questionable impact. At his pre-tournament presser, FIFA president Gianni Infantino told his many critics to "chil...

The new expanded World Cup is here but rather than the unworkable size of the tournament it’s the hostile political situation in one of the three co-host nations that threatens to throw the competition into chaos. With 48 teams, how on earth can we do justice to them all in just one preview podcast? The answer: we just go back to basics, and pick out the 47 teams that won't win. Whoever rema...

Arsenal may be Premier League champions but Pep Guardiola has still managed to steal the headlines with his announcement that he is stepping down as Manchester City manager after 10 years. In our last podcast of the season, we also look at how Bournemouth and Sunderland managed to grab the two Europa League places, and ask what now for Southampton as the club faces the aftermath of Spygate 2. For...

The closing weeks of the season are where dreams are realised, or heart-breakingly dashed. Last weekend saw Celtic deny Hearts their title. It also saw City win another trophy while in Germany St Pauli were relegated at the expense of a non-50+1 club. Also this week, we discuss three managerial appointments at three of the football world's biggest clubs: Alonso to Chelsea, Carrick confirmed at Uni...

In the weekend’s big fixture with importance at the both ends of the table, the VAR-assisted decision to rightly chalk off what would have been West Ham’s late equaliser against Arsenal has caused huge controversy. Or at least, it has everyone talking about controversy. The incident itself has been passed on to the Premier League’s Key Match Incident panel to decide whether or no...

The BBC is to ditch Football Focus at the end of this season after 52 years on our screens. The decision has come as a surprise to many football fans, especially those who thought it had been taken off air years ago. Was the Saturday lunchtime magazine show's demise simply down to a failure to evolve? Also this week, we look ahead to next month’s FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester C...

Defeat for Arsenal at the Etihad, has handed advantage to City in the title race. Is the dream over for the Gunners or are there still twists left in this season? Also this week we discuss the appointment of Marco Rose at Bournemouth (once Andoni Iraloa leaves in the summer), Marie-Louise Eta’s first game as Union Berlin’s interim head coach and the prospect of relegation to League One...

The Premier League has restarted after a lengthy break for internationals and the FA Cup with the run-in in full swing. With almost everyone in the top flight having something to play for, who is in the best shape to cope with a squeaky backside? Also we congratulate Jack Wilshere on his Luton side winning the EFL Trophy at the weekend, a competition some would say is blighted by top flight develo...

How have four-time winners of the World Cup Italy got themselves into a position where they have failed to qualify for three consecutive tournaments? With UEFA also now questioning the country's suitability to co-host the 2032 Euros, how deep are the issues in Italian football? Also, after a weekend that saw Arsenal dumped out of the FA Cup to Championship opposition, fans of other clubs are hopef...

Roberto De Zerbi has been given the task of saving Tottenham Hotspur from relegation, after Igor Tudor's time in charge of the club came to an end after just 44 days. The decision to hire De Zerbi has already proved unpopular among fans; is the club really that low on choices? Also this week, we discuss Roy Hodgson coming out of retirement to take charge at Bristol City until the end of the season...

This week the Premier League handed Chelsea a £10 million fine for years of financial cheating under the ownership of Roman Abramovich. The fine equates to the difference in prize money for finishing one season in 12th instead of 8th. Retropsective punishment is a tricky thing, and there are definitely wrong ways of doing it. This week we saw Africa's governing body controversially strip Senegal o...

A crushing home defeat to Crystal Palace has pushed Tottenham closer to the edge of relegation. They are one of the most financially successful clubs in the world and were one of the driving forces behind the creation of the Premier League in 1992. Relegation seems unthinkable but is a very real possiblilty. But could there be a way out for them? If they do go down, at least it will be easier to f...

In the constant hunt for marginal gains, the introduction of dedicated set-piece coaches has allowed otherwise lower-mid-table clubs to thrive with goals from corners and long throws. But now the bigger clubs are following suit, is this development damaging the entertainment value of the Premier League? And, if so, should the lawmakers do something about it? And talking of lawmakers, in yet anothe...

Palace fans have had their fill of Oliver Glasner now he's told them to stay humble. Terry was at Selhurst Park at the weekend to see for himself how humble the fans feel like being right now. Meanwhile Tottenham fans are facing up to the reality of being in a relegation scrap after another home defeat, this time in the North London derby. Also this week, we welcome back Gary Andrews for his thoug...

Last week Nottingham Forest became the first Premier League side ever to sack three permanent managers in the same season. Less than 24 hours before Sean Dyche was relieved of his duties, Thomas Frank's time in charge Spurs came to an end. Will the new men in charge fare any better in the fight to avoid relegation? Also this week we discuss the weekend's FA Cup fourth round, which saw Mansfield co...

The chaotic scenes at the end of the weekend’s match between Liverpool and Manchester City laid bare one of the most fundamental problems with VAR: it may make the game more correct but it also makes it less joyful. Why then is it such a surprise to those who support VAR, like Gary Neville, that it sucks pleasure from football? Is there a place for “the smell of the game” in a wo...

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's last-gasp winning goal against Real Madrid must go down as one of the greatest moments in Champions League history. But is it enough to prove to the doubters the entertainment value of the new format Champions League? It certainly reminded everyone that Jose Mourinho is still one for the big occasion. Also this week, we discuss the close of the winter transfer...

With Graham, Terry and Jan’s teams all losing this weekend, the last thing we wanted to discuss was football. So we don't. Instead, before the final round of fixtures of the League phase of the Champions League, we discuss the growing perception that the new format is less exciting. We also try to work out how many subscriptions fans in the UK will need to watch their team now that Paramount...

The final of the Africa Cup of Nations descended into chaos when the eventual winners Senegal left the pitch in protest against some questionable refereeing decisions that benefitted the hosts Morocco. But that was only the start of the drama. Also this week Terry has opinions on Oliver Glasner and his seemingly unilateral decision to make public that he won't be staying at Crystal Palace at the e...

It should probably go down as the biggest shock in FA Cup history: the holders, Crystal Palace, crashing out to non-league Macclesfied FC in the third round. But Palace fan Terry saw it coming and we have the audio to prove it! Also this week, in the immediate aftermath of Xabi Alonso being relieved of his duties at Real Madrid, after just seven months in the role, we discuss why he would be unsui...

The start of the year is a time when many people choose to give up something that isn’t doing them any favours. Chelsea, Manchester United and Celtic have got into the spirit of this by all getting rid of their managers — a simple action that doesn't even require you to subscribe to an app. Chelsea have already replaced Enzo Maresca with Liam Rosensior, who just so happened to be the h...

Every year we celebrate the festive season with our special advent calendar episode of the podcast. Join us as we open up all of the 24 doors and discuss the people and subjects behind them. Who and what will be the burning issues of 2026? Of course, as it’s Christmas, we have some friends along to help us out. Chris Nee, Clare McEwen, Ian King and Sam Whyte are here to get into the festive...