Despite Russia’s stained political record, they were awarded the World Cup. And while we should focus on the beautiful game, we should also focus on the ugliness that made it happen.

David Rowe
David Rowe is the Emeritus Professor of Cultural Research in the Institute for Culture and Society at Western Sydney University, Australia, and Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Bath, UK. He was Director of the Institute’s earlier incarnation, the Centre for Cultural Research, between 2006 and 2009. Previously, he was Professor of Media and Cultural Studies and Director of the Cultural Institutions and Practices Research Centre at The University of Newcastle, Australia.