News Broadcasting
Al Jazeera English returns with ‘Football Rebels’ for World Cup Fans
MUMBAI: With World Cup fever about to start in earnest, Al Jazeera English brings Football Rebels, presented and narrated by the former Manchester United star Eric Cantona, shining a spotlight on some of the more unusual stories of football heroes.
Football Rebels, is a five-part documentary that sheds light on five football legends whose social conscience led them to use their fame and influence to challenge unjust regimes, join opposition movements and lead the fight for democracy and human rights in their countries.
The first episode of Football Rebels is focused on Didier Drogba and the Ivorian Civil War. In 2006 ex-Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba used his influence as a footballer to call on the Ivory Coast’s President Gbagbo to end the civil war that had ravaged his home country. He also made a desperate plea for his countrymen to lay down their weapons, resulting in a ceasefire after 5 years of conflict.
The second episode revolves around the Socrates and the Corinthians Democracy movement. Popularly known as ‘the Doctor’, for having gained a
degree in medicine, Socrates combined his attacking midfield skills with his revolutionary political beliefs. Along with his team mates he transformed
every match into a political statement. His support for democracy helped ordinary Brazilians living through a military dictatorship in the 1980s,
realise that they could have a voice too.
The third episode showcases Predrag Pasic and the Siege of Sarajevo. As war raged across the remains of Yugoslavia, former international footballer, Predrag Pasic, decided to stay in Sarajevo despite the bombs and open a multi-ethnic football school, Bubamara. His brave stand against the sectarian atmosphere, created by civil war, gave many youngsters the chance to learn the philosophy of unity and teamwork through sport.
The fourth episode presents Carlos Caszely and the Demise of Allende. It follows the journey of Chilean player Carlos Caszely and how in 1973 his
support for murdered president Salvador Allende led to his persecution by General Pinochet’s regime.
The final episode talks about Rachid Mekhloufi and the FLN Team. It looks back at the Brazilian dictatorship of the early 1980s and how Sócrates the
midfield maestro and Brazilian captain turned every Corinthians’ match into a political meeting for democracy.
Commenting on “Football Rebels” Eric Cantona says: “Football is more than the opium of the people. It’s about good intentions, noble hearts… When
your country’s at war, your friends are killing each other and children are given rifles rather than footballs, so what if the whole world admires you!”
Football Rebels is written and directed by Gilles Rof and Gilles Perez.
News Broadcasting
News18 India launches Command Centre war explainer with Arya
New show shifts from debates to decoding global conflicts and impacts
MUMBAI: News18 India has rolled out a new war-focused programme, Command Centre, featuring Gaurav Arya, as it looks to offer viewers a sharper, more grounded take on global conflicts amid rising tensions in West Asia.
Positioned as an “insider war room”, the show moves away from conventional panel debates and instead focuses on explaining military developments, decoding strategy and connecting global events to their everyday impact, from fuel prices to economic shifts.
The format leans heavily on visuals and data. The studio has been designed like a command hub, complete with large LED war maps, real-time graphics and an alert system to track developments as they unfold.
At the centre of it all is Arya, who brings his military background to simplify complex war strategies for viewers. His signature line, “Seedhi baat samjhiye”, anchors the show’s promise of clarity over noise.
News18 India managing editor Jyoti Kamal said, “Command Centre, featuring Major Gaurav Arya is designed to deliver accurate insights and a clear perspective on how evolving conflicts impact everyday life, from household budgets to national security. With expert voices analysing every development in real time, the show goes beyond headlines to decode what’s happening now, what it means, and what could come next.”
Echoing the intent, Gaurav Arya added, “In times of war, confusion is the biggest threat. With News18 India’s Command Centre, we are bringing viewers inside the war room, decoding strategies, tracking every escalation, and explaining, in the simplest terms, what it means for India and for every household. Seedhi baat samjhiye, this is where you understand not just what is happening, but what happens next.”
The weekday show will air in the afternoon slot and will also feature Gaurav Shukla, adding to its editorial depth.
With its mix of analysis, visuals and a clear focus on impact, the show reflects a broader shift in news consumption. Viewers are no longer just watching events unfold, they are looking to understand what those events mean for them.
