Manos MoschopoulosPlayers out of controlThere are several proverbs and quotes out there that suggest that someone’s true character shines through when times are tough. The past…Jul 17, 2024Jul 17, 2024
Manos MoschopoulosUnited for football, divided right after?“United by football. United in the heart of Europe.” UEFA bosses picked the slogan to show their tournament would welcome everyone at a…Jun 25, 2024Jun 25, 2024
Manos MoschopoulosAnother senseless death in the BalkansGreece’s police and UEFA’s rules proved inadequate to prevent a predictable tragedy this week.Aug 9, 20238Aug 9, 20238
Manos MoschopoulosFootball’s most inhospitable host?Indonesian officials couldn’t have guessed who would qualify for their FIFA U-20 World Cup. Now, they might be left without a tournament.Mar 27, 20231Mar 27, 20231
Manos MoschopoulosBut could Putin do it on a cold night in Chisinau?Partizan’s black and white colours weren’t good enough camouflage for some would-be coup plotters.Mar 20, 2023Mar 20, 2023
Manos MoschopoulosWhat if the World Cup had 48 teams already?New Zealand, Nigeria and North Macedonia would all be there, hoping they don’t get a day off at the end of the group stage.Dec 17, 202261Dec 17, 202261
Manos MoschopoulosThree fingers in the air, Jules Rimet still reelingSerbia and Croatia managed to dominate FIFA World Cup headlines for reasons that had little to do with their on-pitch performances and all…Nov 29, 202272Nov 29, 202272
Manos Moschopoulos‘What racist crimes?’: Greece’s new football chiefA disgraced official who lost his job over colluding with Nazis is now running Greece’s football federation.Jun 6, 202250Jun 6, 202250
Manos MoschopoulosDon’t give whataboutery a chanceWhile asking to “give peace a chance,” Red Star Belgrade ultras forgot a war close to home — and their bloody role in it.Mar 20, 202223Mar 20, 202223
Manos MoschopoulosFree choice or driving drunk: Football’s unvaccinated headachePlayers, clubs and leagues are caught between a ‘right to choose’ and the pandemic.Dec 20, 202135Dec 20, 202135
Manos MoschopoulosGetting angry at the wrong flagA Ukrainian fan drew the ire of his hosts, even though they’d probably agree with his intentions.Dec 19, 2021Dec 19, 2021
Manos MoschopoulosWhen footballers have the wrong passportCuba’s national team lost the chance to qualify for the Gold Cup because they could not get their U.S. visas on time.Jul 5, 2021Jul 5, 2021
Manos MoschopoulosMacedonian debut marred by an Austrian’s racist tiradeTensions between Serbia and Albania surfaced in a game — and a tournament — which involved neither of them.Jun 14, 2021Jun 14, 2021
Manos MoschopoulosNationalism, fashion and football: Ukraine’s new shirtUEFA found itself (again) in the middle of a political spat between Ukraine and Russia.Jun 11, 2021Jun 11, 2021
Manos MoschopoulosThe Pope’s XIThe beautiful game is even played behind the walls of Vatican City. Sort of.Jun 2, 2021Jun 2, 2021
Manos MoschopoulosLefter KüçükandonyadisA Turkish sports hero. The son of a Greek fisherman. The footballer who balanced two supposedly incompatible national identities.Apr 14, 2020Apr 14, 2020
Manos MoschopoulosA migrants’ sportThe search for a balance between identity and inclusivity for Australia’s football continues.Mar 30, 2020Mar 30, 2020
Manos MoschopoulosIf he scores another few, the world could be a better placeResearchers suggest that a footballer’s on-pitch success in England could lead to a sharp decline in hate crime. This is an opportunity for…Aug 26, 2019Aug 26, 2019
Manos MoschopoulosCroatia v GreeceThe Nations and Balls alternative preview to the play-off that a Croatia legend called the “worst possible draw” — not for sporting…Nov 7, 2017Nov 7, 2017
