.jpg)
Dr Leon Moosavi, from the University of Liverpool's Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, appeared on international news channel France 24 on 13 July 2026 to share his expertise on racism in football and to discuss wider questions about identity, nationality and belonging through the lens of sport.
During the interview, Dr Moosavi discussed inflammatory comments directed at members of the French national team, including Kylian Mbappé, and explored how football can expose wider social tensions around racism and xenophobia. He also highlighted the role that players, fans and institutions can play in challenging prejudice and promoting inclusivity.
Dr Moosavi's research examines race and religion in football. His appearance on France 24 drew on his expertise as a sociologist of race and religion and his ongoing research into football fandom and social inclusion.
He is currently writing a book exploring the experiences of Muslim football fans in England and what their fandom reveals about identity, belonging and marginalisation in contemporary society. Alongside this, he is writing academic publications on Stan Horne, the first Black player to play for both Manchester City FC and Fulham FC, and on Mohamed Salah, the iconic former Liverpool FC forward, whose career has had a cultural and social impact beyond the game.