The Future of Football is our brand new podcast that brings you closer to the people, the stories, and the ideas that are shaping the future of the game we love.

Every episode, we’ll be breaking down some of the biggest talking points from the cultural, social and business sides of the game, giving you unrivalled insight into the off-pitch issues taking football to a new era.

In episode one, we take a look at race and bias in sports media inspired by COPA90's amazing 'Beat the Bias' documentary, which dropped last week. While racism in football is typically characterised by abhorrent abuse directed at Black players by fellow pros or fans, the roots of prejudice in the game and its winder industry run far deeper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXUlqY4HkqQ

Whether you're talking about racial bias in commentary via the stereotypical and reductive "pace and power" trope, the lack of diversity among creators in media, or the unfair treatment given to young Black players like Raheem Sterling or Mason Greenwood by the mainstream press, the media continues to be an unequal playing field.

To explore the topic and share personal experiences and professional insight, VERSUS team members Mayowa Quadri, Corey Pellatt and Johnny Kay sat down with ex-Premier League player Marvin Sordell for 'The Future of Football'.

As a former Watford, Burnley and Bolton striker - in addition to representing England U21s and Great Britain at London 2012 - Marvin Sordell has mixed it at the highest level and has seen the effects racial bias and media pressure can have on players first-hand. Now retired, he runs his own production agency to change the narrative in sports media from the inside.

Watch COPA90's 'Beat the Bias' film with EA Sports above, and subscribe to 'The Future of Football' on Spotify.