Lamine Yamal did nothing wrong

Barcelona’s teenage star raised a Palestinian flag during the team’s celebratory parade, prompting Israel’s defence minister to claim he was inciting…

5 hrs ago • Karim Zidan

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Red Card: An excerpt from Jules Boykoff's new book on the 2026 FIFA World Cup

In an excerpt from his new book, Jules Boykoff argues that FIFA President Gianni Infantino is "Trump’s principal accomplice when it comes to…

May 12 • Jules Boykoff

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The UFC champ who sold his soul

Khamzat Chimaev’s story is no longer that of a fearless contender rising to greatness, but of a gifted fighter diminished into a warlord’s prized pet—a…

May 8 • Karim Zidan

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FIFA's Theatre of Unity

Despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino's insistence that "football unites the world," the reality behind the theatre of unity was hard to ignore…

May 3 • Sharon Nadeem

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April 2026

The Saudi Sports Bubble is Bursting

The US-Israel war on Iran, and the subsequent fallout in the Middle East, has jeopardized Saudi's sports ambitions and raised concerns that the…

Apr 23 • Karim Zidan

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Trump’s Colosseum

For years, Trump has used UFC appearances to burnish his image and drown out scandal. Now, as war with Iran drags on with no end in sight, he’s once…

Apr 12 • Karim Zidan

23

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March 2026

Sports Politika is 3 years old

What comes next?

Mar 30 • Karim Zidan

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I won

and I'm just as surprised as you are...

Mar 18 • Karim Zidan

48

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The UFC White House event is propaganda— just not good propaganda

Donald Trump promised that June’s event would bring us some of the greatest fights in history. Naturally, he lied.

Mar 14 • Karim Zidan

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Out with the ICE Barbie, In with the Cagefighter

After firing Kristi Noem from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security, Trump nominated a former MMA fighter to replace her. Is anyone actually…

Mar 7 • Karim Zidan

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Bread, Circuses, and Regime Change

From the pitch to the cage, major sports institutions have helped recast Donald Trump as a “peace president”—even as the bombs keep falling.

Mar 1 • Karim Zidan

19

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February 2026

In The Shadow of the Cage shortlisted for prize

My debut book has been shortlisted for the 2026 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Prize.

Feb 20 • Karim Zidan

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