S2:E10. "Football Can Change The World"

Emergency on Planet Sport

"Football can change the world!" So proclaimed the President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, in May 2022 at the World Economic Forum. Purposeful social impact, to use soccer as a power for good; could it be true?! Was this the seismic shift from the all-powerful governing body many had been waiting for?? Alas, just a fortnight before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, a message to, effectively, "stick to football" was sent to the 32 competing nations. That, combined with a carbon neutral pledge which is being challenged to advertising standards, means FIFA is under the microscope yet again. Football players and football fans respond in this hard-hitting episode. Yes, we're 'sticking to football' by trying to protect it in a time of climate crisis! Jonathan and Melissa are joined by Frank Huisinng from Fossil Free Football, Freddie Daley from the New Weather Institute, Jamie Cornacchia from We Play Green and League One professional player David Wheeler of Wycombe Wanderers.

Guest Time Codes:

00:00 Melissa on her Euro-railing adventure

01:30 Jonathan gets *very* wet on the way to Chelsea v Arsenal

05:30 Frank Huisingh from Fossil Free Football outlines the nature of the complaints about FIFA's carbon neutral claim.

07:00 Freddie Daley from New Weather Insitute explains more about the complaints to advertising regulators.

Frank and Freddie go onto discuss how FIFA should have played it, the mistakes they believe have been made and the importance of reinventing global football for the climate-crisis era.

22:45 Melissa's commentary on the conversation with Frank and Freddie and the likelihood of successful challenges to the FIFA carbon neutral claims.

24:00 For the benefit of those unaware, Jonathan asks what the problem is here. What are the dangers of FIFA claiming their competition is carbon neutral?

26:00 David Wheeler, professional footballer in England's League One with Wycombe Wanderers, explains why he signed a letter protesting to FIFA.

27:45 Jamie Cornacchia explains about the work of We Play Green, a non-profit formed to harness the power of footballers around the world for socially responsible issues.

David and Jamie go onto discuss the role of athletes in big issues such as the fight against climate change. They talk about whether the conversation will continue once Qatar 2022 begins, why some players find it hard to speak out and - very much tongue in cheek - what David would do if he received a dramatic call up for England! Then, the big statements. David believes it would take a boycott of the World Cup to drive home the importance of these messages. Jamie doesn't see why it couldn't be possible. David agrees it's unlikely, but "cool if it happened".

45:00. Jonathan and Melissa reflect on what they've heard. We balance things with FIFA's statement on their sustainability policy. Jonathan ends with a message to his colleagues.

Links:

https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/president/news/fifa-president-football-can-change-the-world

https://www.weplaygreen.com

https://www.newweather.org

https://fossilfreefootball.com