The Athletic FC Podcast

Host Mark Chapman and The Athletic's Adam Leventhal present a special report into the Kanjuruhan stadium disaster in Malang, Indonesia on October 1st. When a pitch invasion escalated, as tear gas was fired onto the pitch and into the stands by Police, several locked exits led to a crush and the death of 131 people.Adam later provides an update on the independent investigation into what happened, the government's response, FIFA's involvement and the search for justice which will feel all too familiar for many UK football fans.* Please be advised that this episode contains reporting that some people may find disturbing.Produced by Adonis Pratsides Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's David Ornstein to detail how have things turned out round so quickly at Arsenal & the role of manager Mikel Arteta and the increasing influence of technical director Edu.In contrast, our Liverpool writer James Pearce explains the challenges for Jurgen Klopp as he tries to turn things at Anfield.The Athletic Manchester United writer, Laurie Whitwell shares his thoughts on what he saw of Casemiro who was man of the match in victory over Everton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell is joined by George Elek, bet 365's Steve Freeth and The Athletic's Tim Spiers to preview the weekend's Premier League action, with a big focus on Sunday's clash between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates.There's also a look at Erling Haaland's incredible run of form before getting stuck in to Brighton v Tottenham, Everton v Manchester United and Crystal Palace v Leeds Utd.All this plus the meeting on Monday night of two managers under increasing pressure as Steven Gerrard takes his Aston Villa side to the City Ground to take on Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Matt Slater & Phil Buckingham to look at ahead to preparations for the World Cup in Qatar in just 45 days time. Is the country ready for the influx of people from both an accommodation & security point of view?What do Qatari residents feel about the attention the World Cup has brought to their country and the scrutiny it has been under from those who have highlighted human rights and environmental abuses in the host nation.Also, what will the knock on effect be in the Premier League in terms of players returning to their clubs ahead of a busy Christmas schedule and just before the January transfer window. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by Senior Football Writer Oli Kay and Liverpool Reporter Andy Jones to analyse Liverpool's start to the new season. Whilst the European recovery continued at Anfield on Tuesday night, seeing off Rangers 2-0, the Reds remain 11 points off the pace in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's visit to league leaders Arsenal.We explore the on-pitch issues that have led to Jurgen Klopp's side struggling to build momentum this season as well as explore the off-pitch transition within the recruitment team.Having replaced Michael Edwards as Sporting Director in the summer, Julian Ward oversaw Mohamed Salah's contract extension, the sale of Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich as well as the potentially club-record arrival of Darwin Nunez, but have the Reds done enough in the transfer market to keep pace with Man City? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Chelsea correspondent Liam Twomey and German Football expert Raphael Honigstein, to explore RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku's prospective move to Chelsea in the summer... Where he would fit in, the inevitable questions about 'Bundesliga tax', whose feathers will be ruffled in Potter's existing squad, a potential attacking duo of Nkunku and Lukaku and why the new owners have elected to pay over the odds now, rather than wait til next Spring.Plus, an assessment of his strengths, character, form and whether the next superstar to arrive in the Premier League from the Bundesliga, will ultimately turn out to be more Haaland or Werner? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's football correspondent David Ornstein. They discuss Man City's demolition of United with The Athletic's Sam Lee with news on a new contract on the cards for Phil Foden.The Athletic's Wolves writer Steve Madeley tells has all the details as to why Bruno Lage was sacked and we hear how the influence of agent Jorge Mendes at the club who could be lined up as the Wolves manager.David also has news on Chelsea's pursuit of RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Athletic's Dan Barnes, Carl Anka & Roshane Thomas in conversation about Taking The Knee - the gesture was popularised ahead of games in England following the death of George Floyd in the USA.What purpose has taking the knee served? What if anything has changed? And why does it make some people so angry? What should happen next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Bardell and George Elek are joined by The Athletic's Tim Spiers and Bet 365's Steve Freeth to get stuck in to a massive weekend of Premier League football, with the North London derby, the Manchester derby and a crunch encounter in the East Midlands between Leicester and Nottingham Forest the pick of the bunch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ian Iriving is joined by The Athletic's data writer Maram AlBaharna & former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke to explain the numbers and facts behind Granit Xhaka's journey to leading his side to the top of The Premier League having been close to leaving and the focus of fierce criticism in the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.