Presidential interest in national soccer is nothing new to us. With so much popular will and
attention fixated on national teams, national soccer has long been mixed with executive
politicking. The recent World Cup has illustrated this phenomenon more clearly than ever, with
notable presidential "arbitrations" occurring in the French, Nigerian, and North Korean football
associations in the wake of poor tournament performances.
Presidential interest in national soccer is nothing new to us. With so much popular will and
attention fixated on national teams, national soccer has long been mixed with executive
politicking. The recent World Cup has illustrated this phenomenon more clearly than ever, with
notable presidential "arbitrations" occurring in the French, Nigerian, and North Korean football
associations in the wake of poor tournament performances.
