The Sweeper

Author: Lee Wingate and Paul Watson

Welcome to The Sweeper Podcast, the unique world football show covering all 211 FIFA countries and beyond. Join Lee Wingate and Paul Watson for the best headlines from across the football world, and news, stories, insight and interviews you won't find elsewhere.Whether you're into underdogs and upsets, ultras and fan culture, groundhopping and travel, derbies and rivalries, geography and geopolitics, or simply want a break from the relentless churn of big-money football, The Sweeper Podcast has you covered!Featured topics: FIFA, UEFA, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, CAF, AFC, OFC, FIFA World Cup, FIFA World Cup qualification, UEFA EURO, UEFA Nations League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, CONCACAF Champions Cup, CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, CFU Club Shield, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana, CAF Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup, AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two, AFC Challenge League, OFC Champions League, OFC Professional League, Coupe de France, Greenlandic Football Championship, San MarinoJoin us on Patreon: patreon.com/SweeperPodVideo & audio editing: Ralph Foster & Tom MiddlerGraphic design: The Gentlemen Creatives, Vienna Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Why is Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán funding football clubs abroad?
Tuesday, 10 February, 2026

A sleepy town of 22,000 people in southern Slovakia is home to a top-flight football club that is challenging for national titles and boasts an ultra-modern, sleek stadium that is entirely out of step with its surroundings – thanks to money from abroad.We paid a visit to Dunajská Streda to watch local team DAC 1904 play domestic giants Slovan Bratislava in a top-of-the table clash in Slovakia. But this was no ordinary game. It was the most politically charged football match we’ve ever seen.The reason for that lies far beyond the football pitch. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is funding clubs in neighbouring countries as part of a broader political strategy – one that may help him win re-election in April and shape the balance of power in the EU.Elsewhere, the Copa Libertadores is reportedly preparing to invite guest clubs from Mexico and the US to participate in the competition starting in 2027, while Chinese football has hit a new low after nine of the Super League’s 16 clubs were deducted points.Chapters00:00 - Intro01:49 - Live game: DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava14:32 - Viktor Orbán's political power play21:18 - Copa Libertadores guest invitations23:04 - Analysis from Jon Arnold25:59 - China's Super League low point27:21 - Analysis from John DuerdenSources for the lead storyAtlatszo: https://english.atlatszo.hu/2018/12/11/the-orban-government-spent-billions-on-hungarian-football-clubs-in-serbia-romania-and-slovakiaBalkan Insight: https://balkaninsight.com/2025/07/08/hungary-and-croatia-build-stadium-for-e7-5-million-in-village-of-500-inhabitantsDenník: https://dennikn.sk/1380564/bolo-to-ako-vojna-bitka-policajtov-s-fanusikmi-dunajskej-stredy-po-ktorej-sa-zmenil-zakon/Radio Free Europe: https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-orban-sport-influence-romania/31977287.htmlSalzburger Nachrichten:https://www.sn.at/sport/fussball/international/dac-dunajska-streda-orbans-aushaengeschild-in-der-slowakei-art-371392