Karim Zidan

Karim Zidan was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He studied political science and economics before shifting his focus to journalism. He is an associate editor for SBNation’s BloodyElbow, and a columnist for SportsonEarth. His focus is on the socio-economic and political aspects of sports. Follow him @ZidanSports.

Return of football to Aleppo highlights regime’s political theatrics

On January 28, locals from western Aleppo gathered to watch a football match, as a testament to how powerful the effect of a single strategically positioned match can be on a dictator’s image.

By Karim Zidan

/ 17 May 2017

نقطة اللاعودة: كيف غيّرت الحكومة المصرية والرأي العام معالم إرث الألتراس؟

هذا الجزء الأخير من أربعة أجزاء عن هواة كرة القدم في مصر وكيف تحوّلوا من مشجّعين إلى "إرهابيين". English

By Karim Zidan

/ 29 Jan 2017

Crossing the rubicon: how Egypt’s government and public opinion reshaped the Ultras legacy

The final piece in a four-part series on football fandom in Egypt and how the fans are now labelled 'terrorists'. عربي

By Karim Zidan

/ 25 Jan 2017

الألتراس في حالة حداد: قصة نهاية كرة القدم المصرية بسبب مجزرة وتداعيات ثورة وسياسة

هذا الجزء الثالث من أربعة أجزاء تتعمّق في تاريخ ما يُعرف بـ"الألتراس"، أي المشجعين الرياضيين المتطرفين، وتأثيرهم على المجتمع المصري. English

By Karim Zidan

/ 24 Jan 2017

شهداء كرة القدم: كيف أصبح مشجّعو الألتراس ثوّاراً؟

هذا الجزء الثاني من أربعة أجزاء تتعمّق في تاريخ ما يُعرف بـ"الألتراس"، أي المشجعين الرياضيين المتطرفين، وتأثيرهم على المجتمع المصري.English

By Karim Zidan

/ 23 Jan 2017

Ultras in mourning: how a massacre, revolutionary aftermath and politics killed Egyptian football

The third in a four-part series that delves into the history of the Ultras and their impact on Egyptian society. عربي

By Karim Zidan

/ 12 Dec 2016

Football’s martyrs: how the Ultras become revolutionaries

The second in a four-part series that delves into the history of the Ultras and their impact on Egyptian society. عربي

By Karim Zidan

/ 11 Nov 2016

Olympians in the post-Soviet era

Don’t be fooled by the edited images of athletes’ emotions, pride and joy in post-Soviet sports. In many cases, perception does not match reality.

By Karim Zidan

/ 21 Oct 2016

رياضة وثورة وسياسة: كيف أثر نادي الألتراس على الوعي المصري؟

هذا الجزء الأول من أربعة أجزاء تتعمّق في تاريخ ما يُعرف بـ"الألتراس"، أي المشجعين الرياضيين المتطرفين، وتأثيرهم على المجتمع المصري. الجزء الأول: مَن هم الألتراس؟ English

By Karim Zidan

/ 28 Sep 2016

Sports, politics, revolution: how a hardcore football fan club impacted Egyptian consciousness

This is the first in a four-part series that delves into the history of the Ultras and their impact on Egyptian society. Part One: Introducing Egypt's Ultras. عربي

By Karim Zidan

/ 26 Sep 2016

Sports diplomacy: Bahrain’s martial arts venture distracts from human rights abuses

While the use of successful sporting events is a persuasive approach to international relations, it is limited in its ability to disguise Bahrain's true nature.

By Karim Zidan

/ 23 Sep 2016

Iron fist: Sport as a means to an end in the North Caucasus

As the stories of a Chechen champion and a Dagestani businessman show, sport in the North Caucasus — and Russia in general — is foremost a political tool.

By Karim Zidan

/ 4 Aug 2016