Synopsis
This book examines the construction of national, regional, and group identities in the football journalism of five European countries: England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Notions of the respective national stereotypes are explored in each of the countries studied: for instance, is the stereotype of the French as a nation producing stylish, elegant football teams reflected in all European countries? Are there differences in the reconstruction of the traditional image of the Germans being efficient and technically competent? Similarly, the perpetuation of diverse regional identities within the nations in question is also explored: how is the existence of regional movements in Spain, for example, portrayed by football writing in that country? Finally, group identities such as those of black players (in England), foreigners (in Italy), or women (in France) are analysed with a view to understanding how football writing reconstructs traditional images of such groups.
The book is based on detailed studies of the language used in football match reports and related articles appearing in a representative sample of quality daily newspapers including "The Times", "Le Monde", "Suddeutsche Zeitung" and "El Pais".
