**States of Play: Understanding Football's Transformation into a Geopolitical Tool** In exploring the evolution of football into a geopolitical instrument, a new book highlights an urgent and essential narrative. The notion of "sticking to football" often falls flat. The reality is that football rarely confines itself to the pitch. Instead, it intertwines with various issues, including nation-building, geopolitics, and even the glitzy world of Hollywood, alongside darker themes of cruelty. Historically, football has been linked to European industrial power and colonial rule. Looking ahead, it seems poised to become a mere global commodity, echoing the relentless noise of the digital age and everything that comes with it. It raises a challenging question: is there anyone left who simply wants to discuss VAR?

José Mourinho has expressed his frustration with the standard of refereeing and the use of VAR in Turkish football following his observation of Fenerbahce's 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor in the Super Lig. The renowned manager admitted that he had never previously watched the league and implied that it lacks a significant following outside of Turkey. He also mentioned that he had been cautioned about potential issues on the pitch prior to taking on his role.