Political scientist. Poetry enthusiast. Author: Kicking (Duke UP, 2026); Red Card (OR Books, 2026); What Are the Olympics For? (Bristol UP 2024); NOlympians (Fernwood 2020); Power Games: A Political History of the Olympics (Verso 2016) www.julesboykoff.org
Went on CNN to discuss UEFA's threat to boycott FIFA events after Infantino's brazen, private-equity smash-and-grab & how it would be a crime against joy itself if the 2027 women's World Cup ended up being sacrificed on the altar of FIFA greed.
Jules BoykoffWould be more than a bit awkward if two hosts of the 2030 men's World Cup—Portugal & Spain—boycotted the event. And it would be a downright crime against joy if the 2027 women's World Cup was sacrificed on the altar of FIFA greed.
Would be more than a bit awkward if two hosts of the 2030 men's World Cup—Portugal & Spain—boycotted the event. And it would be a downright crime against joy if the 2027 women's World Cup was sacrificed on the altar of FIFA greed.
Nathan Kalman-LambUEFA has just unanimously decided to boycott both men's and women's World Cups over FIFA's attempt to sell the global game to private equity. Damn.
Read @fairsq.bsky.social statement on FIFA's "World Cup sell-off": "No one owns football...The announcement that FIFA plans to sell off its tournaments to private equity should be opposed by Member Associations, as well as clubs, players, & fans across the world." rebootfifa.com/news/reboot-...
Reboot FIFA Campaign Statement on World Cup sell-off - Reboot FIFANo one owns football. It is the common property of humanity. The announcement that FIFA plans to sell off its tournaments to private equity should be opposed by Member Associations (MAs) of FIFA, as w...rebootfifa.comWent on CNN to talk about the FIFA privatization bombshell, noting that growth for the sake of growth is not only the ideology of the cancer cell, but also the ideology of FIFA under Gianni Infantino. (full interview here: video.snapstream.net/Play/PTH6ELJ...)
When your private-equity-drenched greed makes Sepp Blatter's greed look downright artisanal by comparison, you know the FIFA greed machine has clicked into an alarmingly higher gear.
Matt SlaterGianni Infantino has flooded the zone again. He wants to put all of the money-making bits of FIFA (ie the World Cup) into a new co & then sell 20% to investors. He thinks it will raise $10bn over next 4yrs. I think we can assume hydration breaks are staying. www.nytimes.com/athletic/747...
FIFA greed machine in action: Gianni Infantino reportedly plans to sell stakes in the men’s World Cup to investors (private investment & FIFA's 211 member associations, though FIFA would hold majority control). Infantino as (super-lucrative) WC “commissioner” when (if?) his presidency ends in 2031?
Financial TimesFifa plans stake sale in new $20bn commercial vehicle ft.trib.al/SKXrRbq
Gianni Infantino isn't the first megalomaniac with a narcissistic personality to run a sporting organization, but he might be the pettiest. His Instagram rant symbolizes his inability to metabolize criticism. Today FIFA is a dictatorial entity that mirrors the despots to whom he shamelessly caters.
Financial TimesFifa president Gianni Infantino has accused his critics of being 'consumed by hate' during the World Cup, and brushed aside complaints about the treatment of Iran’s team and the decision to lift a ban on a US player after pressure from President Trump. ft.trib.al/pTBKHt9
Well, you had a good run, Dodgers, but you just invited the Trump Curse upon yourselves. No three-peat for you.
Aaron RuparTrump pays tribute to the Dodgers: "There's the ballroom and the military facility. Here's the helipad we're building."
"LA Must Stop Bidding for Sports Mega-Events: The city’s FIFA World Cup experience raises questions about the costs & benefits of hosting." By Dr. @ceriannerobertson.bsky.social, an organizer with @nolympicsla.bsky.social for @commondreams.org www.commondreams.org/opinion/la-s...
LA Must Stop Bidding for Mega Sports Events | Common DreamsThe city’s FIFA World Cup experience raises questions about the costs and benefits of hosting.www.commondreams.orgGreat to speak with @democracynow.org about World Cup politics, the sharp contrast between Spain & Argentina, between Claudia Sheinbaum & Donald Trump. FIFA is a high revenue, low morals org, but everyday people in the US stepped up to show♥️ to WC visitors. www.democracynow.org/2026/7/21/fi...
What Spain’s Victory Means: Jules Boykoff on the World Cup, FIFA, Trump, “Collectivity” & MoreThe 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup has concluded, with Spain defeating Argentina to claim the coveted title. Spain’s national team players accepted the championship trophy at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium a...www.democracynow.orgMy latest @thenation.com co-written with the great @edgeofsports.bsky.social: "Trump’s Reverse Midas Touch Even Got the World Cup. Of course fans roundly booed the president at the WC final: Damaging the integrity of anything he touches is true to the Trump brand." www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Trump's Reverse Midas Touch Even Got the World CupOf course fans roundly booed the president at the World Cup final: Damaging the integrity of anything he touches is true to the Trump brand.www.thenation.comArgentina's Cristian Romero also took the opportunity to snub Trump at the World Cup awards ceremony (HT @siddharthamitter.bsky.social + @tedknowles.bsky.social — video via @pallonateinfaccia.bsky.social)
Jules BoykoffShoutout to Argentina’s Lisandro Martinez for giving Trump the cold shoulder. (In 2020, Martinez posted a photo commemorating victims of the military dictatorship. He also supported the successful campaign to legalize abortion—he may well be the only politically left-of-center player on the team).
Call me Nostra-Julesus, but earlier today ahead of the World Cup final I predicted on @france24.com that Trump would be met with a chorus of boos (to be sure, I wasn't alone in that prediction!). Trump's intervention to overturn the red card & FIFA's selective morality tarnished the tournament.
Jules BoykoffAudible torrent of booing & jeering when these guys entered the pitch. No question about it.
