Football Rebels

About the show

As the global sporting world lurches from one corruption scandal to the next, the indomitable Eric Cantona presents the stories of five football heroes whose social conscience led them to challenge unjust regimes, join opposition movements and lead the fight for democracy and human rights. ‘Football Rebels’ looks at a side of football that does not always make the headlines.

For airing times, please check the Schedule

From: Football Rebels
Cristiano Lucarelli: Champion of equality for the working class
The Italian footballer is better known for his left-wing views and passion for the socialist-supporting club, Livorno.
Video Duration 24 minutes 53 seconds
Published On 14 Apr 2021
From: Football Rebels
Saturnino Navazo: Spanish survivor of a Nazi concentration camp
He fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War and later survived a Nazi concentration camp by playing football.
Video Duration 25 minutes 05 seconds
Published On 8 Apr 2021
From: Football Rebels
Honey Thaljieh: First captain of Palestine women’s football team
Former Palestinian women’s football captain who has fought prejudice all her life now promotes equality through sport.
Video Duration 24 minutes 54 seconds
Published On 2 Apr 2021
From: Football Rebels
Afonsinho: Brazil midfielder who fought for labour rights
A Brazilian footballer’s battle for greater freedom to change clubs sparked reforms benefitting generations of players.
Video Duration 24 minutes 58 seconds
Published On 26 Mar 2021

More episodes

The story of a footballer arrested by Argentine secret police in 1977 and tortured before escaping to Sweden.

The famous football player chose to abandon the French team to play for Algerian independence.

Football Rebels - Rachid Mekhloufi

The Chilean footballer paid the price for openly defying General Pinochet’s dictatorship.

Football rebels - Carlos Caszely

Filmmaker Gilles Rof explains why he decided to take a closer look at some of football’s unsung heroes.

How Brazil’s football legend turned every Corinthians’ match into a political meeting for democracy.

Football Rebels - Socrates - title

The Yugoslavian international player chose to start a multi-ethnic football school in a besieged Sarajevo.

Football Rebels - Predrag Pasic

How the former Chelsea star and Ivory Coast forward used the power of football to end his country’s civil war.

The thumbnail for Didier Drogba and the Ivorian civil war.