Writers telling underside stories of the beautiful game

It’s the news no football fan wants to hear – that there are some shady back room dealings in world football. But who are the writers telling these difficult stories?
a soccer ball on a soccer pitch against the night sky and stadium lights

As Australia and New Zealand host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time, a lesser-known, but no less worthy football writers’ event has also kicked off in our region.

The Football Writers Festival was held in Sydney on the eve of the Women’s World Cup, and hosted dozens of well-known writers who love watching soccer’s on-field glories as much as they love investigating its back room dealings.

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ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).