Resisting the globalization, standardization and rationalization of football: my journey to Bilbao

Abstract

In this article I use an autoethnographic methodology in order to outline my experiences as a football fan. My stories suggest that I have become disillusioned with the processes of standardization and rationalization that, according to Cornel Sandvoss, result in contentless football clubs. Such clubs eliminate their substantive links to actual places and communities as they search for new markets and fans from across the globe. In what I argue is an act of resistance against the above processes, my journey takes me to watch Athletic Bilbao, a club which, because of a philosophy of selecting only local players for its first team, maintains very strong links with its local community.

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