Football and European identity

Hand, David and Crolley, Elizabeth (2006) Football and European identity. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-203-29953-1

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Abstract

Shifting European identities, cultural loyalties and divisions are often expressed more directly through attitudes to our most popular game than in any other arena. Building on detailed research into original language sources from across Western Europe, from the early 20th century to the present day, Football and European Identity traces the fascinating evolution of football writing in the quality daily press. The resulting cross-cultural analysis of national identity in Europe provides the basis for a unique three part study of the interplay between football, society, politics and the print media. Part 1: Old Europe analyses the portrayal of national identity in football writing on England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Part 2: Nations within a State examines the status of Corsican, Catalonian and Basque identities within French and Spanish football. Part 3: New (Football) Worlds explores the response of Europe’s presses to the emergence of Africa, North East Asia and the USA as major forces in world football. Providing valuable insights into the complex and fluid nature of European identity and issues relating to Europeanisation in a global context, this text should be read by all those with an interest in sport studies, media and communications studies, and Europe.