Which Politics Are Allowed in Football?

It's often said that football and politics shouldn't mix, despite the fact that the two exist in a symbiotic relationship and it is therefore impossible to separate them.
What people often mean by the statement though, is that politics that they don't agree with and football shouldn't mix - whereas when it echoes their own views that is fine.
So in this video, HITC Sevens takes a look at what politics are allowed in football and what politics isn't, who gets to make that decision, and whether there is ever a fair or reasonable way in which to determine that fact.

[@IronHands17]

Politics is allowed in football when it's aligned with the current political agenda

[@areebsiddiqui758]

True. This is why democracy can never be truly successful. The majority opinion decides the agenda. There is no conversation about right and wrong. It's a one size or rather one line of thinking fits all approach.

[@johnny6448]

facts

[@romanscerbak5167]

@@johnny6448 stupidity

[@soundscape26]

Which often shifts as he said at the end.

[@shawklan27]

As expected

[@yunggekyume5393]

I love how this channel goes from rating club shop items to discussing politics within 2 days

[@kaianhardman2869]

Alfie just tryna be different

[@jesuisunstroopwafel]

That's why I love it.

[@j4genius961]

It's called range

[@joehartwell8910]

It's a crying shame that Alfie thinks he knows both what other people think, and better than those people. It's even sadder seeing people praise him for this. He does a good job with football research. When he does this the channel just becomes a place for clapping seals.

[@kaianhardman2869]

@@jesuisunstroopwafel Ik same I was jking

[@ahmedalaraby1371]

Damn you really aren't holding back on the hypocrisy in media rn Respect!

[@Tdr-jv2nc]

Media is what keeps us all divided

[@ahmedalaraby1371]

@@Tdr-jv2nc if we keep fighting each other then they are safe Pretty evil but pretty smart

[@matttyce903]

@@ahmedalaraby1371 true, we all got the same enemy at the end of the day but they want us to be mad at eachother

[@No-mn9do]

based roman flag pfp arabian

[@Tdr-jv2nc]

@@ahmedalaraby1371 Very true mate!

[@Alfie_1]

Ivan Toney has consistently refused to kneel before games, from the 20/21 mid-year break or so, because he thought that it is used by governments and organisations to show their support, whilst saying that they are making progress, but not actually changing anything fundamentally, and are more puppets. Interesting point, I thought.

[@NomaHirudo]

He has a point. Most corporations only pretend to care about racism while most governments continue to do nothing about systemic problems like this. Too bad some people just go with the vibe without understanding the problem, while other people simply believe the problem doesn’t exist

[@Alfie_1]

@@NomaHirudo Well said.

[@shawklan27]

@@NomaHirudo word

[@c0222]

It started with good intentions but quickly decsended into virtue signalling.

[@JimTheFly]

Kneeling was a protest that gained enough traction that deciding to NOT kneel became its own protest.

[@ethandalton6480]

The "keep politics out of football" people must have been fuming when Denmark won the European Championship

[@georgetapia1010]

Why do you say that?

[@mikipetreski9998]

@@georgetapia1010 because yugoslavia got kicked out of the euros that year due to the civil war. Denmark got their place after that.

[@georgetapia1010]

@@mikipetreski9998 oh yeah they got banned from the WC too if I'm not mistaken. But I had no idea that Denmark took their spot in Euro 92.

[@mikipetreski9998]

@@georgetapia1010 We were dissolved as a nation by the WC, none of the 7 countries competed for a couple of years after that

[@gothicgolem2947]

Denmark won the euros???

[@hennimore1]

That’s were you’re wrong Alfie, Graelish is an avid Communist. He listens to the Soviet Union National Anthem on his Beats by Dre headphones before every game, and calls Pep a Bourgeoisie oppressor at every training session.

[@benjammin9471]

Probably listens during the game as well, he has plenty of time while sat on the bench

[@pipwilson7435]

Great video essay! I've thought about this in relation to the Olympics before, and it seems to me that those who say politics should be kept out of sport are conveniently forgetting that ot speaking out on an issue is just as political as to speak out on an issue.

[@GuinessOriginal]

Fantastic video, one of his best

[@jamesrodriguez514]

There's nothing to forget. You are conveniently pretending that not speaking about politics means you're being political. You're wrong.

[@pipwilson7435]

@@jamesrodriguez514 that's not quite what I mean. What I should have said is that when authorities try to say that we should keep politics out of sport, they are themselves making a political statement. Although of course the active decision not to speak is a political action. What it is saying is 'I care more about X than Y'. For instance, the IOC has a longstanding policy of athletes not making political statements. Before Tokyo 2020, the IOC had attempted to prevent athletes taking the knee despite professing to be against racism. Why is this then? Well presumably they felt that the cost to the IOC of athletes speaking out was greater than the benefits. That's a political decision. In the end they relented. UEFAs decision to prevent teams using the rainbow flag colours when playing Hungary during Euro 2020 is also illustrative of this. They prevented it on the grounds that it was a political statement. However, not allowing it was also a political statement. What it said was that they cared more about not upsetting the Hungarian Government than upholding the values UEFA claims to hold. Therefore, the choice not to do something is in itself political. There's so much more I could say about what politics actually is, but it's late and I need to get up in the morning.

[@jamesrodriguez514]

@@pipwilson7435 Why does the IOC need to profess anything not related to sport? Does someone need to say they're against racism (or anything else), otherwise they're assumed to be for it? On the same note, UEFA's purpose isn't to hold any values not related directly to sport. These aren't political organizations, they don't represent the government. As far as I'm concerned, the IOC should've continued to prevent athletes from making political statements and UEFA should've prevented teams from using the rainbow flag at all, not only against Hungary. They also should've kept their mouth shut about political or social issues, since it's not their purpose to speak about it. They should've done this out of principle, but also because at some point in the future someone with the "wrong" politics might want to make a political statement and they'll forbid it. So, you get to a point where sports organizations allow you to make political statements as long as you agree with them. Just to make it clear, I'm talking about what should be, not what is. As you've already mentioned, these sports organizations have already made political statements and have allowed certain ideas to be propagated through them. What they do now is try to pretend that they aren't political, which makes them look hypocritical. I could also speak about how this all started, which is how a lot of these things happen: a slippery slope. After all, it's just a board that says "no racism", and we all agree with the idea, right? But, as always, that's not enough and you get to a point where if you don't repeat it constantly it means you're for it, not against it anymore.

[@fgsaramago]

No, it isn't, that's a bit of a childish notion

[@danemarwood3941]

In America this is simply decided by who our defense contractor’s largest client is at the time.

[@lougiacobbi725]

In America, it's being more and more defined by what Rupert Murdoch tells people to think, similar to the UK. The problem is the people that follow Murdoch media accept it as gospel and aren't capable of questioning what they are told to believe and support.

[@idontexist1681]

@@lougiacobbi725 murdoch is so evil that satan doesn't accept him into his hell

[@Mk-jr8rg]

If Russia was banned from the world cup then you clowns should have been banned ages ago along with all of the other nato countries for your atrocities against Iraq

[@GooseGumlizzard]

nonsense

[@nuudelz3711]

@@lougiacobbi725that’s cause his media companies continuously gaslight the watcher until they isn’t have a shred of their own thought left.

[@cholst1]

Anyone arguing that politics should be kept out of sport is pretty much just advocating for sport to be "bread and circuses" to keep the populace distracted. And for people competing in sports to be uncaring robots. Which hilariously is political in itself.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Who decides which politics are acceptable? My team Chelsea had politics on the terraces in the 1980s and it was racist far right politics. Best in my mind to keep most politics out of football. Sport is Bread and Circuses. Sorry to break it to you but Football has been a sector of Show Business for some time now. Most fans watch the game on pay for view.

[@condimentofmassdestruction9114]

@@matthewcoombs3282 Football was born out of politic.

[@calansmith9561]

helicopter rides are hilariously political.

[@varunchand8546]

My fear is that Alfie will never get the recognition he deserves as a phenomenal journalist (sports or otherwise) since he isn't affiliated to a big name... may the great work continue and I hope the power of social media demolishes if not assuages my fears!!! GO Alf!!!!!

[@eavyeavy2864]

Adhd

[@Mk-jr8rg]

He doesn't deserve any recognition, he fails to mention how the us, uk and other nato countries should have been banned from everything for invading iraq which was far more devastating than what's happening in ukraine

[@naoyanaraharjo4693]

​@@Mk-jr8rgby that definition. Russia(legal successor of USSR) too should be banned for invading Afghanistan The same applies with China for its war against Vietnam that only tried to liberate Cambodia from Pol Pot's insanity Shit, by this logic Pakistan, India, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Greece cant join due to existing/conflicts post WW2

[@lfscelt]

Well done yet again Alfie. If only the masses could understand the reality of this message. This is a very good video that highlights the Murdoch media and agenda based media that we are fed. Sadly, money and political power will project what they want the masses to know or care about. Keep up the good work mate.

[@robinhazell6019]

Well said. Grat comment.

[@mancunioner]

Except its all left wing propaganda now

[@changebegins6891]

I agree. The way the media pushes BLM, Extinction Rebellion and other communist based political movements is a joke. It's so 1 sided and biased. Basically your political movement is ok as long as it's woke, left wing nonsense

[@ryanwilliams8750]

Yeah well said my friend. Rupert Murdoch has his grubby hands in almost all local news in the United States. Basically gives him free reign to send the networks certain talking points. Then it allows people like John Oliver to gather all those clips and show the people watching that there's a chance even your local news channel is being heavily influenced by people like Murdoch.

[@petesmart1983]

Murdoch media is actually far right and very pro putin

[@jacobe1074]

Most based futbol youtuber strikes again. I am an Australian and right now we're going through an annoying culture war where angry boomers and pundits are dogpiling a specific netball player (who is Aboriginal) and her teammates for not wanting to wear the name of a racist on their kit as a sponsor logo. "Keep politics out of sport," they say, unaware of the fact that this is itself a political stance which allows things like racism, homophobia, and unethical sponsorships to go unchallenged. Everything is political.

[@TunaStrata]

Is netball a slang for football in australia? Or is it entirely different sport? Just curious.

[@LordGoose-zr6jj]

@@TunaStrata Netball is a completely different sport, we play it here in the UK too and it's similar to basketball except for you can't move while holding the ball

[@falconmclenny7284]

What racist? I can tell by your carry on you're part of the problem here, but as an Australian who couldn't give a fark about netball, what's this all about?

[@IronHands17]

How can I be homophobic my sponsors gay

[@j4genius961]

@@falconmclenny7284 So you don't even know the situation but you've already decided that he's the problem? Alright

[@brianpenney7]

Great job on a tricky subject Alfie. Best pundit on KZbin in my humble opinion.

[@UncledadBFD]

Consistently excellent.

[@c0222]

If we're being honest it isn't a tricky issure, the people who want certain flags banned from games but are fans of others are just idiots and hypocrits.

[@Starkweather133]

Personally I'm not convinced Jack Grealish can even read

[@godgamingmaster770]

he prob can read when he's not drunk

[@westshorebassfishing3205]

Alfie is one of the few pundits that has the talent to use a broad scope of topics and keep it football centric. 👌

[@mumar7867]

Random question, is this the fella who used to do vids with footballs in the background?

[@Jojo.R.Chipelago]

I'm so happy to have someone like aflie putting out this content so frequently. Football needed this.

[@winglessmecha]

"All lives are equal but some lives are more equal than others"

[@jasoncampbell293]

Your average English fan won't like listening to this. Well done Alfie, as I've said before, more English fans need to have your ability to critically think

[@Glory-Compass]

Correction: More European Fans

[@theemperor6413]

Not just English fans

[@jasoncampbell293]

@@theemperor6413 most teams around the world do involve politics in football. England is the outlier in that and as Alfie is English and therefore his videos are from an English persons perspective, hence me saying that English fans won’t like it.

[@jasoncampbell293]

@@Glory-Compass all across Europe football and politics are intertwined. Simply look around most European stadiums and you will see something political somewhere. Whether it be right wing or left wing. It is there and far more prominent than in England

[@TristanCCFC]

I had to search far and wide to find a football club that was openly anti-fascist. Meanwhile, I heard racism, homophobia, transphobia and sexism at nearly every premier league ground. Politics of the status quo is alive in football, we just don't have any St Pauli, Rayo, Europa, Celtic to actively counter it.

[@andrewplatt7452]

ive been watching you for years but never commented but let me say that what you do is amazing. just doing your passion, following your interest, its brilliant to come home to after a twelve hour shift. doing well brother keep em coming. you're a smart, intellectual and articulate.

[@hahahadavidfisher]

I love Alfies channel for videos like this but i mainly watch out for the 'however' 'whatsmore' and 'without further adieu' moments which only fans who've watched many of his videos understand and first time viewers should watch out for xD

[@stevencooke6451]

No However today.

[@Nevermindwhat2358]

Alfie, do a video on Hapoel Jerusalem. They are the polar opposite of Beitar Jerusalem, in terms of politics, and they're doing well in the league.

[@Finn_Lawless]

I'm re-watching this video after however long. It has aged well and is eternally relevant. I don't know if Alfie will read this, but I hope he never stops producing such content. Freedom for Palestine. Up the Bohs.

[@SothangelSoph]

Quality content as always - Congratulations on half a million!

[@fraz5786]

My dude you are one of the most talented people in football journalism rn, fantastic video

[@arzhi_azis]

Day 341: Indonesia XI If All Eligible Players Had Declared For Them.

[@hi-rr2vm]

Keep dreaming bocah

[@diazkohen2149]

Ngomong apa cok

[@und3rcut535]

bro this video was AMAZING. your comments and observations were s on point. I now have a different level of respect for you.

[@danielpeat2396]

This is your best video yet Alfie. fantastic work

[@RyuzakiTaiyou]

Best German players in the premier league of all time. (Day 403) I will not give up until the video is made or Alfie himself tells me to stop. Everyone else telling me that will be ignored. If you don't believe my number, just go back to the previous videos. I'm at the bottom most of the time, but I'm there.

[@BALHAM69]

Name seven you think should be on there? Michael Ballack, Jens Lehmann the goalkeeper are two i would say should be😊

[@thefutbolfollower8326]

Nobody cares, blimey.

[@cage94123567890]

Kind of shit to make a video just about Timo Werner, no?

[@adamfysh-foskett961]

I found your channel because I am trying to digest more of things I like - such as football - and less of things that make me angry - such as politics - and then I come across this! Great video. Your point about how others' politics is 'political' whereas one's own is just 'common sense' struck a chord. I also remember thinking how the mass Ukraine solidarity post-invasion should have felt good, but something felt slightly off given the criticism of players offering Palestinian solidarity just months earlier. You suggest there are no easy solutions and I agree. For what it's worth, I for one would love to see Jack Grealish break the footballer-turned-writer stereotype of going down the children's books route, and instead penning a critique of Das Kapital...

[@ThePikachuThing]

as usual, Alfie shoots and scores, excellent content

[@christianspanggaard]

As per usual. You are on point, Alfie. This content is incredibly important!

[@narendrapanse7844]

An outstanding piece - your best by far, if i may say so. Respect!

[@manugame100]

Another top video Alfie! Video suggestion: most overvalued football club sponsorships.

[@badjujuforever]

its 6pm on a Saturday (Australia time) ive cracked open a johnnie walker and im 4 bongs deep. perfect time for a hitc video. i love you alfie

[@falconmclenny7284]

Johnnys and billy bobs, is there a better combination?

[@badjujuforever]

@@falconmclenny7284 captain morgan is doing a better job now 😂 or as I call it, captain cones

[@falconmclenny7284]

@@badjujuforever the captain can get very messy after a while, watch him.

[@FisherAthleticFan]

Told my mate Alfie is a good KZbinr just gotta be in the mood for some of his content. This video here wets my appetite

[@JoDyMa]

DAY 7: Hey Alfie, could you do a video on the life, career, controversies and tragedy of Justin Fashanu. It'd be your best video yet and it's a criminally underheard story. ❤️

[@e7r0m6]

Thanks for bringing up this more than necessary subject. Cheers!

[@footballhipster]

Politics is like an octopus; no matter how hard you try, it will always find a way to stick its nose in anything.

[@JPayne95]

Octopus noses are always getting in my business 🙄

[@sahalhamud8824]

One of the realist and outstanding channel ❤️

[@mouthpiece806]

been waiting for somebody to make a video like this!

[@Nazzazzaable]

A very much needed video 🔥

[@conorf1995]

an important topic, love that you speak on divisive issues

[@shannonballspen1s482]

Alfie youre the most unbiased, hardest working man on youtube. I never dont watch ur vids. All the love from UK Jr. USA

[@shukuchimukyo892]

"unbiased" lmaoooooooo

[@shannonballspen1s482]

@@shukuchimukyo892 whats biased? To you mate? Im curious

[@rt20089]

@@shukuchimukyo892 supporting Ukraine is not a biased thing but doing the same for Palestine is biased for you?Yeaahh.I smell some obvious 'double standard '.

[@szymonlechdzieciol]

@@rt20089 No it's more than whole Alfie video while polite and elaborate clearly betray his political/sociological/ethical views on the case.

[@mundea]

Brilliant video, really enjoyed it

[@dantespina7398]

best hitc sevens video ever??

[@John-gx2ry]

Excellent video Alfie. This insidious approach to " politics in football " needs to be called out more. Well said👏👏👏

[@fgsaramago]

In Portugal, for the team's friendly before the world cup, people were barred from entering with Amnesty International shirts that were being handed out outside the stadium in an action sponsored by one of the national team's sponsors. FIFA explicitly told match organizers people would not be able to enter with those shirts on. Said shirts, had nothing written on them except for an Amnesty International logo

[@basitsnake]

Amazingly put as always Alfie

[@coleparke3763]

Very insightful video. It’s a shame how clubs will ban certain political messages but be allowed to sell weird branded RC range rovers in their stores. We really live in a society.

[@grogeevee]

Makes the think of when Merih Demiral got demonized for doing a soldier salute in support of the Turkish army fighting terrorists. If he did it for Ukraine then everyone would cheer and praise.

[@ninanano]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while but this video alone, I have to finally subscribe to your channel. I haven’t even finished watching the video yet!

[@sietsedegroot5198]

Once again a great video! Keep it up

[@MattOlsen294]

I am so thrilled that Alfie made this video. Sport is inherently political, and should always be used as a tool for change.

[@lalitthapa101]

Just like media,sports is also a tool which can be beneficial for progressive change. Let's not forget pioneers like Jesse Owens & Muhammad Ali used sports as a medium to fight the bigotry of their time(something that unfortunately still remains)

[@bababababababa6124]

“Free Palestine 🇵🇸 ❤️” *r@cist sports fans* - “no too political 😢” “Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦💙💛” *r@cist sports fans* - “💙💛”

[@Strangegloves]

@@lalitthapa101 2

[@Strangegloves]

6

[@oussamabr5851]

How do you define the line between 'change' and 'propaganda'? If China uses football to promote a message, would it be propaganda or change? What if England does it, is it again propaganda or change?

[@rijadmuric7619]

Finally, someone from "the west" pointed out the westerners' hipocrisy considering Palestine, in light of war in Ukraine. Thank you ❤

[@ehiokioyajoshuauyiosa6188]

I love this channel. Great work

[@SonicAvalanche]

You've been knocking them out the park lately

[@thegloriouspyrocheems2277]

Day 73 - The Fall and Rise of FK Velež Mostar From a Club that has beaten Borussia Dortmund, Twente, Derby County and many others to a club that was forced from their own stadium, reduced to nothing during the Bosnian War, becoming a mediocre top-level team in the 00s to nearly being forced into folding in 2016 to its amazing comeback to European competitions in 2021 seeing the early exit of Greek giants AEK Athens in a sensational win in Athens!

[@AvrilAlvarez]

Truth is, flying the union jack at a football match and singing god save the queen is political. It's just as political as flying a Palestinian flag at a match

[@abdulsamadissa4177]

The way you dissected this video is amazing

[@manning0]

Coming back to this episode as it seems to be a current cause of controversy at Celtic

[@XLRAshon]

as an American this topic is starting to increase more and more in soccer/football. This has always been around in our more popular sports but not soccer. Historically soccer in America has been enjoyed mostly by people with left leaning ideologies so they would hang up rainbow flags, black lives matter, etc without any push back. But in recent years with the sport gaining more and more popularity, right leaning people are coming into the sport and not liking it. I'm more in the camp of letting all politics be displayed and let the clubs themselves dictate what they and the fans can or can't do and the league have 0 say. Cause often the case here the supporters will meet with the club and discuss ideas and what the fans want to display and the owners will either be okay or not about the situation. but yes, anyone who thinks politics have no place in soccer, or any sport has lost the plot. they always have and always will be tied together

[@jamescarlile4279]

At least that would be consistent. The problem we have in Australia is that only liberal politics is aloud, conservative views have literally gotten people fired. If you're going to allow politics, you have to allow everything. If you're not prepared to allow everything, then you allow nothing.

[@waifubreaks1572]

I support Mexico over the US, the US team does shit like displaying the rainbow flag and BLM stuff. I'd much rather support Mexico.

[@smokeymcpot1799]

@@waifubreaks1572 I hate to break it to you but both countries are controlled by the same people. 4 letters long, starts with a J, plural, and describes the people responsible for the world's problems.

[@96wtfomg]

Thanks for pointing it out. It's as you said, YOUR politics should not be allowed, mine are allowed. To be honest, I think the concept of National Teams in itself is a political concept to some degree. So how can they keep saying "don't involve politics and sport"

[@tianyue5814]

Great point! The beauty of football, sports is to support local community, people in the country, connect with people, communities in other places, create understanding, harmony, regardless of place, country, religion, gender, ability, etc.. But many people use it to justify nationalism, tribalism, their unconscious, egotistical expression of anger, hatred, bias, discrimination violence towards other people. It's like technology, the internet, KZbin, one can use it for the positive, higher purpose or for the unconscious. It'll be amazing if footballers of different places, mixed genders just play football in a team, in tournaments. I like refugee football teams, Forest Green Rovers who is into veganism and sustainability. Great to know thru this video that FGR also supports Palestine! Thanks to Alfie for this great video! All the best! :)

[@the_one_the_only4651]

Do a documentary on the San Marino 🇸🇲 national football team and their history. Loving ❤ the content.

[@bababababababa6124]

Need this video

[@BOABModels]

Look up a channel called the Tim Traveller - he did some great videos watching football in San Marino.

[@stewartellinson8846]

Why aren't they better????????? Surely San marinese grandparents are everywhere in Italy.....

[@trex8930]

Top video. Well done man

[@PL7802]

A coherent and well thought through attempt to tackle a difficult and complex issue. Kudos.

[@daoudnawaz]

Alfie 👏🏼 The manner in which you dissected the issue was fantastic. Seeing the way the football world responded to the invasion of Ukraine was heartwarming yet also saddening. As the voices of the people of Palestine, Xinjiang and Yemen could too have been elevated yet were silenced. Great video

[@bnorris8625]

Really reasonable and balanced approached Alfie well done

[@rahmatramadhan9874]

Banger video as always, Alfie.

[@thefutbolfollower8326]

All politics should be allowed. It’s impossible to separate anything from politics, let alone sport, which has a lot of financial power involved, If someone like Ronaldo says he’s a Marxist-Leninist his cultist followers will follow through, and of course there’s the whole FIFA and UEFA thing which is all about economics. And besides, everyone should be talking about these things, why not? “Stick to football” is so ridiculous, why can’t footballers voice their opinion, like everyone can? It reminds me of the Candace Owens video where she talks about how no one cares about how celebrities think, which is ridiculous, many care, and why shouldn’t celebrities voice their opinions? Obviously, genocide denial and such is too much, but just the support of a political party, a policy, or an organization is fine by all means.

[@vegan4life660]

Lol

[@falconmclenny7284]

Because they are footballers, which means they are probably stupid, and they are rich, and therefor out of touch, so they should shut the fark up and kick the ball.

[@thefutbolfollower8326]

@@falconmclenny7284 Then say the same about musicians, artists, authors, other sportspeople and basically anyone who is rich and could be clueless. It’s just ridiculous, there’s no other way but to let them do as they wish.

[@falconmclenny7284]

@@thefutbolfollower8326 no they don't. Music is meant to have a message. Art is meant to have a message. Football is meant to be a sporting contest, nothing more.

[@thefutbolfollower8326]

@@falconmclenny7284 Football celebrations are meant to have a message ffs.

[@Inveterate-introvert]

I always laugh at the people who say keep politics out of football when they talk about the rainbow armbands, then applaud players who refuse to wear them for religious reasons (which I'm fine with, although I wouldn't address it with a laugh emoji). But the very same people get pissed off about James McClean refusing to wear a poppy. If it's fine to not wear a rainbow armband it should be fine to not wear a poppy. It's not fair to equate one thing as political and the other as apolitical because it suits your world view. Because neither are overtly political. They're adjacent to political viewpoints.

[@georgigeorgiev4871]

Congratulations over starting such an important, although deeply controversial debate. You did your best to be objective and that's admirable.

[@rizka7945]

Farage isn't saying that there shouldn't be politicians in football. He is only saying that there shouldn't be any politics there.

[@morestupidforms]

Sports washing is perfectly fine in football. Protesting against said sports washers, however, is not.

[@rasmusforchhammer9557]

Genuinely the best football channel on here

[@Mark-uh3un]

Another absolutely amazing video

[@leemcdonald1342]

Video idea: 7 most inluential formations in association football history.

[@BALHAM69]

a documentary on the afc Wimbledon on the nine promotions in eleven years, how they’re a fan own club and how they have a stadium in plough lane now. The story of they lost the club, how the F A allowed that and won’t allow that anymore. How they were very close to moving to ireland How they went up the English football leagues. It would be a good documentary video if you can do this. #thepeopleschannel

[@mrmorrison5142]

I feel as though I have read this message on multiple comment sections of this page

[@DabDabGoose]

@@mrmorrison5142 it's everytime lol

[@yoavcohen2218]

there are loads of those vids on KZbin which is why Alfie might not want to do it

[@DaveyJesusisFcking]

Fun fact about American Football and I'm sure all the other leagues: the reason we have the national anthem at sports events is that the military pays the league to do it.

[@MatheusFernandes-xf4zm]

And we copy this useless ritual.

[@mohammedal-ogaidi1411]

Thank You for making this video

[@mikeeroony6683]

Alfie huge respect dude you're one of a few that touch on this subject

[@Hilversumborn]

Another amazing video Alfie

[@duane8228]

Good episode. Now poppy season is nearly here how about doing an episode on James McClean

[@petesmart1983]

James McLean is pretty easy it was bloody Sunday were English troops murdered civilians ,children and other innocents. He grew up in that area. Why should he support people who murdered his family and friends family's

[@duane8228]

@@petesmart1983 I agree. As someone who grew up in the Bogside & who's parents grew up in Creggan (where James is from) I would like to see what would be said about the reason he's taken his stance because for some reason a lot of people in Britain don't seem to understand or don't think the army done anything wrong.

[@ryanwilliams8750]

Its a valid question that many brought up when the war in Ukraine started. The problem is people look at you as if you don't care about Ukraine. Of course we care about Ukraine... but we should also be utilizing the same amount of support for Palestine, Yemen, Ethiopia and Myanmar. Theres an underlying factor here and sadly you guessed it if you know anything about those countries, its race. Unfortunately those countries are mostly black and brown and to stuck up racists in the west are "too far away to matter or care" which is just abhorrent. Some do it subconsciously, you see it in the media with reports like "this is different, this is Europe this isn't far away like the Middle East." Its awful that they come out and just say it and there's no repercussions. Because I believe more and more every day that the USA is has a major white supremacy problem. Not sure about the UK but I know its still a bit prominent there as well. Not sure how long its going to take until they are a really small minority and then extinguished. If you read all of this my goodness youre a legend.

[@vegan4life660]

Follow the money, the UK n US fund/profit from those wars/genocides.

[@shawklan27]

Well said

[@jannetkasiroori9224]

True

[@bjehulk]

The USA most certainly does not have a white supremacy problem 😂 can you give any shred of proof for that?

[@bjehulk]

“We care about Ukraine?” Who’s “we?” 😂😂

[@rustom1981]

As you said ( people with power will say what is the low & what can be accepted what not ) 💔 god bless everyone ❤️

[@shainemillward257]

Excellent work 👏👏👏

[@sielnachtt]

i love your channel! you have to be the most based football youtuber out there

[@AfroChilanGringo]

Again you hit a homerun! Your channel is the best mate!

[@jimbob-robob]

WELL SAID ALFIE! Those who say keep politics out of sport just don't like a specific type of politics showing up as it already has a default brand of politics deeply built in...(free market centre right)...awesome 👍🖖✊️

[@Clockendmo]

Respect! 💯 Just subbed to your personal channel

[@bretlir]

Suggestion: 7 smallest clubs to have a Cinderella run in Europe (Champions League, European Cup, etc.).

[@soundscape26]

Good one

[@ferasalmadhagi2188]

Lovely Video and really well said. As a kid I always thought that football had no place for politics but since the ukraine war I was completely puzzled with the hypocritical side of football. I was born and lived most my life in Yemen which has been under bombardment of the saudian coalition that is supported by the whole of Europe!!.

[@petesmart1983]

Biggest problem is that Saudi and other countries around that area rarely let any media or news escape there country's. So we rarely here things as there governments control the news

[@fatdaddy1996]

Pete that's just not true. Anybody who doesn't live under a rock knows about Yemen.

[@fgsaramago]

Its definitely not supported by the whole of Europe. That's false

[@grokopf142]

great vid mate, the hypocrisy goes over so many peoples heads

[@abdullahmoiz8151]

Another terrific video Alfie

[@adolfocoy7516]

I think the problem with this video at least in his opening arguments is that he is viewing it by a British lense what can and cannot be allowed. Which when you think about most countries have a local way of handling sports and politics that may not be always headlined in international news. This the problems comes with how the sports is commercialized and financed rather than the avenue it wishes to dictate. A freeer country would be more open to a multi-cultural and multi-optional way of showing political beliefs or even to not show it at all, rather than in a autocratic or heavy-leaning conservative country or even super Liberal country as their belief is now the corner stone of the country`s way of life. I will post edits, as soon as I get time to watch the full video to see if he manages to answer some of the concerns I mentioned above.

[@11namesknow6]

It seems that conflicts in Europe are taken more seriously than anywhere else. Hmmm

[@bl00dhoney]

Well you know... Some lives are more important than others

[@vegan4life660]

Distraction

[@soundscape26]

Maybe because the top football matches are played in Europe... in front of European crowds? Hummm...

[@11namesknow6]

@@soundscape26 That doesn't distract from the fact that people treat European conflicts better than others. People trying to raise awareness of conflicts that European governments covertly partake in other places are demonised

[@bababababababa6124]

@@bl00dhoney i hope you meant that sarcastically and I REALLY hope that isn’t your actual opinion

[@Rassalcon]

The bi joke at 12:53 made me choke on my hot chocolate

[@Ugly_Peace]

You really smart mate. Kudos to you and your team.

[@Cozystuff]

what a great video Alfie!!!!!! :)

[@zenokada2278]

The difference in higher level football is does it make money and increase approval or not 😊

[@ollie8931]

How do you summarise your support of LGBT rights alongside your support of the Palestinian law, criminalizing [male] consensual same-sex sexual activity and makes it punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment? And that gay people often end up dead with very little evidence one way or the other?

[@regiment589]

Commies, so called leftist and useful idiots always supported terrorist states and communities in the Middle East cause they fought "capitalists states".

[@ananmuadi31]

@@regiment589 don't let them know their favorite tankie leaders and idols were very homophobic and anti-abortion (e.g. Jugashvili, Ceaușescu, Guevara, Castro (son of a spanish plantation owner), Marx (self-loathing Jew), etc.)...