Football's Racism Problem + Derby Reviews & European Previews

SportsGasmic

Shea & Dave hit the round ball game again, with lots on the table this week. We begin in serious mode and discuss the ridiculousness that is the continued problem of racism in football, focusing on Italy as Romelu Lukaku has to defend against both opposition and his own fans simply because of his skin colour. Football must reckon with itself rather than continually deflect, and steps in France against bigotry have shown there are options to be taken.

We lighten the mood back to talking the on field game after this, as Shea reflects on his Gunners taking a point from Spurs in a fiery North London Derby. A point that at one point looked unlikely, and in the end could have been three. Just how unlikeable are the stars at the Spurs, and why is Harry Kane allowed to blatantly dive without the media scrutiny that non-English stars get? Along with this, we also chat about the prospects for the non LFC vs Man City field in the Premier League, figuring out who is in prime position to take the rest of the top four, and the struggles of Chelsea and Manchester United.

Champions League Group Stage preview follows, as we bang out the groups and try to predict who might get through. Some groups are cakewalks, some will be bloodbaths. We lather ourselves up and dive right in.

MLS talk finishes out the pod as we briefly touch on a big Timbers result, wild Sounders vs Galaxy, LAFC continue to roll, and Philly get a big result in the East.

Dave is eight beers deep by the end of the pod as some harmless mindless banter finishes us out for the week. Good stuff.