“Sports is always to do with politics. Sports is part of our society. And the society is political” Ewald Lienen – Technical Director of FC St. Pauli


The Bomb Factory Art Foundation is pleased to present Shut Up and Stick to Football, a group exhibition examining the interplay between politics and football at our Covent Garden Gallery, between 14th June - 14th July.


The show features a diverse range of artists, from renowned Turner Prize winner Mark Wallinger, to subversive street artist Foka Wolf. In June 2021, the England men's team were booed by fans for taking the knee before a match - a gesture intended to show solidarity against racism following the murder of George Floyd. The consensus among many right-wing politicians and commentators was that they should 'shut up and stick to football', declaring that sport and politics don't mix. From the FA's ban on women's football in the 1920s to World Cups hosted by oppressive governments, the Hillsborough tragedy, modern-day corruption of football institutions and sports-washing by nation-states; football and politics have always been inextricably linked throughout history. Coinciding with the 2024 European Championships in Germany, our 'team' of 11 contemporary artists will explore the intricate bond between the beautiful game and politics, examining how this relationship highlights cultural tribalism and societal polarisation in the modern era.