BOOK REVIEWS
Interest
Outcasts! The Lands That FIFA Forgot
Steve Menary
We Rate:
BOOK SYNOPSIS
'Outcasts! The Lands That FIFA Forgot' examines the much tarnished reputation of FIFA, the governing body of world football, and just how they justify the exclusion of some 'nations' from their organisation while welcoming others. For two years, Steve Menary traced the incredible journeys of the teams that FIFA refuse to recognise - either for reasons of political expediency, or because FIFA just believed they could not compete with the likes of Montserrat on the world stage. Intrigued by just why anyone would want to play for such no hoper 'nations', he became drawn into a scene which surprised him in its positive approach to both the beautiful game and nationalism, and eventually resulted in the FIFI (Federation of International Football Independents) 'Wild Cup', featuring teams from officially non-existent countries such as Zanzibar, Greenland, Tibet and Northern Cyprus, being successfully staged in Germany prior to the FIFA World Cup in 2006. Along the way, he discovered the dentist from Greenland who risked his career to play for his 'country', the pitch battle amongst kit manufacturers to sponsor the Tibetan national football team and why the Gibraltan 'national' football team might just force an end to centuries of dispute over the rock between Britain and Spain.
OUR REVIEW
A decent book written way back in the 2000s that take a look at a series of countries/regions that haven't quite been given status with FIFA, the world's footballing governing body but yet still at the time managed a history within the game, often limited but never the less, they had a presence.
The author has clearly done his homework on the subject and has found a plethora of information on each side, their history as a football wannabe and those people behind these stories, often just normal people like you and I, who ensure the game is for everyone.
The factors as to why these teams are not recognised are wide ranging but their are certain reasons that feature regularly like political reasoning for example with these 'countries or regions' not officially ebing recognised.
Since the book was written back in 2007, there have been a few teams that have been admitted to FIFA. Those include Gibraltar, the British Overseas Territory and Kosovo, a team very much on the verge of reaching a Major Tournament that have only been officially in existence since 2016 when recognised.
This book is a great look at the game outside of the game and though it is dated and an updated book would be very much welcomed, it is still relevant and a look at how the game could grow wider if allowed and football wasn't about politics in any shape or form.
Grab this book, its not a long read and would no doubt keep you interested!
