Critical Research in Football
About the Book Series
The Critical Research in Football book series was launched in 2017 to showcase the inter- and multi-disciplinary breadth of debate relating to 'football'. The series defines 'football' as broader than association football, with research on rugby, Gaelic and gridiron codes also featured. Including monographs, edited collections, short books and textbooks, books in the series are written and/or edited by leading experts in the field whilst consciously also affording space to emerging voices in the area, and are designed to appeal to students, postgraduate students and scholars who are interested in the range of disciplines in which critical research in football connects. The series is published in association with the Football Collective, www.footballcollective.org.uk.
Football in Nigeria: History, Culture, Governance and Development
1st Edition
By Iorwase Derek Kaka’an, Peter Smolianov
April 07, 2027
This book provides in-depth analysis of football in Nigeria, one of the world’s most important emerging economies and a sleeping giant of world football. Exploring the history, culture and development of Nigerian football, the book looks closely at the state of the game today and suggests potential...
Football Finance, Governance, and Accounting: A Critical Review
1st Edition
Edited
By Mark Middling, Daniel Plumley
April 01, 2027
This book provides a critical analysis of finance, governance, and accounting in the football industry. With money and boardroom decision-making at the centre of debates regarding on- and off-field aspects of football today, this book helps the reader to develop a deeper understanding of these ...
Intergroup Contact, Islam and the 2022 FIFA World Cup
1st Edition
By Tom Taylor
October 26, 2026
This is the first book to critically examine England football fans’ attitudes towards Muslims and Islam through the lens of a sports mega-event, drawing on fan experiences at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, the first staged in an Islamic society. Drawing on pre-event interviews, audio-visual diaries...
Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and Islamophobia in European Football: Symptoms, Sources, and Solutions
1st Edition
Edited
By Udo Merkel
September 28, 2026
This book examines the prevalence of racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and Islamophobia in European football. It provides critical assessments of selected policies, strategies, campaigns, and initiatives that have been developed by various stakeholders aimed at combating these discriminatory ...
Politics, Social Issues and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
1st Edition
Edited
By Danielle Sarver Coombs, Molly Yanity
August 27, 2026
This book takes a close look at politics and social issues in the context of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, one of the most attended women’s sporting events in history. Featuring the work of leading researchers from around the world, the book is arranged into two thematic sections, with the first...
Antisemitism in Football: International Perspectives
1st Edition
Edited
By Emma Poulton
July 20, 2026
This book investigates the nature and prevalence of expressions of antisemitism within the context of football in Europe and beyond, as well as attempts to challenge and combat this problematic phenomenon. Drawing on empirical research, the book presents a series of case studies of countries in ...
Football Clubs and the Global Transfer Market
1st Edition
By Thijs A. Velema
July 20, 2026
This is the first book to examine labour markets in professional football from the perspective of football clubs rather than players. Drawing on data from the eight biggest European football leagues – the hub of the global player transfer market – the book explores how and why clubs scout the ...
Football, Community and Social Responsibility: Everton’s ‘Blue Family’ and Sport at the Service of Humanity
1st Edition
By Chris Stone
July 20, 2026
This book shines a light on the value and effectiveness of football clubs’ community engagement work, the cultural value of sport and the position sport plays within people’s daily lives. The book considers the deep historical roots that many football clubs have as charitable institutions within ...
Media, Communication and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
1st Edition
Edited
By Molly Yanity, Danielle Sarver Coombs
July 20, 2026
This book takes a close look at the themes of media and communication in the context of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, one of the most attended women’s sporting events in history. Featuring the work of leading researchers from around the world, the book examines how the tournament was ...
Against Modern Football: Understanding Clubs Founded and Operated by Supporters
1st Edition
By Benjamin Perasović, Christian Brandt, Marko Mustapić
May 22, 2026
This is the first book to offer in-depth analysis of the "Against Modern Football" movement through the comparison of two AMF clubs. The movement has emerged in opposition to the rampant commercialisation of football and the lack of supporters’ influence over the governance of the clubs they ...
The Political Economy of European Football: Perspectives from Central and Eastern Europe
1st Edition
Edited
By Dariusz Wojtaszyn, Daniel Fitzpatrick, Roland Benedikter
May 22, 2026
This book explores the contemporary dynamics of European football’s political economy, mapping the various market and regulatory forces that shape its current position and development. Offering a conceptual framework for understanding political economy as applied to the study of football, this book...
Football, Development and Peace: Local Projects in Global Contexts
1st Edition
By Joel Rookwood
December 15, 2025
This book critically examines the intersection of football, development, and peacebuilding through diverse case studies across global contexts. Drawing on the author’s 20 years’ experience of research and practice in sport-for-development across six continents, the book explores the potential of ...