TV & Showbiz

Netflix teases explosive tell-all FIFA documentary ahead of 2022 Qatar World Cup

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 26th October 2022

A new Netflix documentary looks set to unearth the dark secrets and generations of corruption at FIFA ahead of the controversial Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Releasing the explosive trailer for the footballing exposé on Tuesday, 25 October, Netflix‘s latest sports doc promises to reveal never before heard interviews with senior officials, new details surrounding disgraced President Sepp Blatter, decades of dirty politics and much, much more.

FIFA Uncovered is the story of how the world’s biggest sporting body gradually turned the beautiful game ugly.

The significance of the FIFA Uncovered release date just 11 days before the start of the 2022 Qatar World Cup will not be lost on football fans, nor the general public.

Among the years of scandal, bribery and all-around controversy surrounding the global football organisation, the Gulf nation being awarded the tournament despite their human rights record is considered one of the most egregious decisions to have ever been passed.

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Senior and respected footballing figures like Eric Cantona have been vocal against those backing the tournament and the Qatari state, labelling this year’s competition “horrible” and “not a real World Cup”

Eric Cantona says David Beckham made a ‘big, big mistake’ promoting Qatar World Cup

Elsewhere, teams like Norway (who failed to qualify) and Group D contestants Denmark have made it clear they will be protesting the competition regardless of their participation.

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As for the Three Lions part in all this, despite calls from all corners to boycott the World Cup entirely, the UK government blocked the opposition and, even more staggeringly, urged LGBTQ+ fans to “be respectful” if they chose to travel.

It’s worth reminding at this point that as is common throughout the Middle East, same-sex relationships are illegal in Qatar and, in some cases, punishable by death.

Beyond those standing up for the migrant workers abused in building stadiums, the LGBTQ+ community is one the biggest trying to draw attention to Qatar’s human rights abuses.

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FIFA Uncovered drops on Netflix worldwide on Wednesday, 9 November.

If you want to better understand the context behind the numerous protests and public demonstrations that will inevitably take place at this year’s World Cup, this informative and undoubtedly riveting FIFA documentary is one you don’t want to miss.

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Featured Image — Netflix

TV & Showbiz

Amazon Prime Video release trailer for Man United’s treble documentary, ’99’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Trailer for Amazon's Man United Treble documentary

Just a fortnight on from Manchester City releasing their treble documentary on Netflix, Manchester United have issued a timely reminder that they did it first by releasing a trailer for their own on Amazon Prime Video.

Oh, we’re about to enjoy some serious online debate and not at all petty social media spats over the next few days. Play nice, everyone…

Simply entitled 99, the new documentary series from fellow streaming giants Amazon will cover Man United‘s hallowed 1998/99 season, where they became the first-ever English club in history to win a treble and went down as one of the greatest teams in football history.

Considered the holy trinity of trophies in Europe – winning the first division in your country, the main domestic cup and the Champions League – the true ‘continental’ treble has only ever been completed by eight teams and the Red Devils are clearly looking to capitalise on the same media buzz as City.

The first trailer for Amazon’s upcoming documentary about Man United’s treble season?

While Man City are still well and truly basking in the glory of achieving the incredible footballing feat, with the possibility of defending all three titles still very much on the cards,

There have been multiple productions celebrating United’s lifting that same trio of trophies in the past, from The Treble season review film released in 1999 itself to the likes of The Impossible Dream released on its 20th anniversary in 2019 and others, but this latest is set to be the comprehensive look yet.

Showing “never-before-seen footage” and featuring the stories “told by those who were there – including David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Peter Schmeichel, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and more. documentary” – it promises to serve as the “definitive documentary” of United’s treble season.

Naturally, there’s already plenty of discussion rearing its head over which team was more impressive.

Next debate: who’s treble documentary is going to be better, City or United’s?

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Amazon has scheduled 99 for a 17 May release date, just over a month and a half on from City releasing Together: Treble Winners, not to mention dropping the trailer itself barely a fortnight after the fact.

Although many have been quick to point out that the docuseries omits any discussion of their ongoing FFP charges – with Paddy Power even spoofing it as a Netflix true crime drama – it has received largely positive reviews for its fly-on-the-wall look at one of the best teams in the world.

Set to be fittingly spread over three parts, 99 is also being co-created by three different parties: Ventureland, Gary Neville’s production company, Buzz16.2, and David Beckham’s Leigh-based production house, Studio 99.

The latter were obviously heavily involved in the recent Beckham Netflix series, so fans of that can expect similar vibes from Amazon’s documentary on United’s own treble season and the momentous year that was 1999.

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Featured Images — Amazon Prime Video

TV & Showbiz

Eurovision 2024 final to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester next month.

Following the success of the first-ever live streams of Europe’s biggest party onto the big screen when it was held on British soil in Liverpool last year, cinemas up and down the UK are set to come together once again to celebrate 2024’s edition of the major night in the music calendar by hosting the ultimate viewing events.

The epic Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 11 May will be broadcast live on BBC One, and streamed into more than 100 cinemas nationwide – including several in Greater Manchester.

Hosted by CinemaLive, the live stream events will allow Eurovision fans to gather under one roof and be “united by music” to share in the unbeatable experience of celebrating the brightest and boldest music party of the year on the big screen.

Eurovision 2024 final to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester / Credit: Cinema Live | Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

You may remember that Sweden is hosting Eurovision this year, following the Scandinavian country’s well-deserved victory at the 2023 contest with the song ‘Tattoo’ performed by Loreen.

But thanks to these live stream events, you won’t need to make the trip to Malmö to get in on the action, as you’ll just need to nip down to your nearest participating cinema instead.

Not only will the long-awaited final of the show be streamed live onto the big screen in 5.1 surround sound, but fans are invited to bring their Eurovision parties from the front room to the cinema instead, as organisers say fancy dress is “heavily encouraged” as are enthusiastic sing-alongs too.

Speaking ahead of the event next month, John Travers from distributors CinemaLive, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring Eurovision’s grand final live into cinemas across the UK for the second year in a row.

“We want audiences to enjoy themselves, so come along in groups, get your fancy dress on, and join together to enjoy this incredible occasion on the big screen”.

Tickets are now live and available to book at your local cinema here.

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Some of the participating Greater Manchester cinemas include Vue Manchester Printworks, Everymans in Manchester city centre and Altrincham, The Light in Stockport, and Cineworld in Didsbury, among others.

Featured Image – Nick Robinson (via BBC)

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