This book investigates the complex and often corrupt underbelly of global football, exploring how the sport's immense popularity has fostered environments ripe for exploitation and malfeasance. Giulianotti, a professor of sociology, draws upon extensive research into the social, economic, and political forces that shape international football. The work aims to dissect the systemic issues that allow corruption to thrive, from FIFA's governance to the financial dealings of clubs and players.

The book is recognized for its rigorous sociological analysis of corruption in global football, offering a critical perspective on the sport's institutions and power dynamics. Giulianotti's work is often cited for its detailed examination of the systemic issues that facilitate malfeasance. It provides a scholarly framework for understanding the complex interplay of economics, politics, and social structures that underpin scandals in the sport. The book is considered a significant contribution to the study of sports sociology and governance.