Politics have had an immense impact on the beautiful game, both good and bad. Yes, the game has been known to stop civil wars (i.e. Nigeria and the Ivory Coast) or even start a war in the first place (i.e. “The Football War” between Honduras and El Salvador). The recent FIFA scandal shows how dirty politics have stained our beautiful game. In the case of Ireland, politics splintered a football association and a great footballing country. Cover Art Courtesy of