In Search of “Greener Pitches”: African Footballers and Labor Market Migration in European Football

Iwebunor Okwechime,Olumide A Adetiloye

doi:10.13169/worlrevipoliecon.10.3.0377

Abstract

This article examines the migration of African, including Nigerian, footballers to Europe in search of better professional opportunities. The paper situates the migration of Nigerian footballers to European football clubs in the political economy of international football and the location of African footballers in that context. The search for “greener pitches” among African footballers is, the paper argues, largely a product of a combination of political and economic factors, central to which is the neoliberal market ideology underlain by globalization and the technological breakthroughs in information and communications technology, and the massive developments that the world has witnessed in the transportation system. The paper highlights how the role of international organizations like FIFA, UEFA and CAF has led to the emergence of unscrupulous elements whose activities have served to undermine the growth and development of African football. By way of conclusion, the article suggests that unless these apex governing bodies of world football join forces, the exploitation of aspiring young African footballers seeking to migrate to Europe will persist, with grave implications for the development of the “beautiful game” in Africa.

Highlights

The migration of African, including Nigerian, footballers to Europe in search of better professional opportunities has been a longstanding tradition in European football
The paper situates the migration of Nigerian footballers to European football clubs in the political economy of international football and the location of Nigerian football in that context
The paper argues that the exodus of African footballers to European super leagues has greatly been facilitated by technological breakthroughs in information and communications technology, and in the massive developments that the world has witnessed in the transportation system

Summary

Introduction

The migration of African, including Nigerian, footballers to Europe in search of better professional opportunities has been a longstanding tradition in European football. Those who benefit most from the prevailing order are determined to ensure that the migration of African footballers to European clubs continues to strengthen their position in the global capitalist system This explains why Marx had convincingly argued that, for political economy to be useful as a tool of analysis, it should be anchored on the economic structure and social relations of production, as well as on the contradictions in terms of exploitation, class relations, domination and conflict amongst others. African states need, as a matter of urgency, to grow their own local football industry, because it has the ability to generate revenue and provide employment in a continent beset by high levels of youth/graduate unemployment

Conclusion

Findings

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