About

About Papa

Fútbol Papa provides a unique perspective on international soccer, fútbol-football-futebol. Papa, a life-long fan of the beautiful game, grew up abroad and was an international youth player (see black and white photo) who played in tournaments in Europe (Spain) and South America (Argentina, Brazil, Peru). In his late teens, while in college, a serious knee injury put a stop to his dream of a sporting career, but did not diminish his love of the game. Papa settled in the USA, became a father, and inevitably became his son’s youth academy coach and later a club administrator. Today (see color masthead photo) Papa is a futbol writer, historian, and mentor. Having participated in football from every possible angle (if you know of another Papa can try please let him know) Papa is uniquely placed to provide insight about soccer from multiple perspectives. Papa’s writing has been read globally for years…

As a one-time journalist, Papa spent six years (December 20, 2010—June 9, 2016) reporting online about soccer globally with a focus on La Liga and the UEFA Champions League. Papa produced over 750 articles in those years and his coverage also included the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, Europa League, and Spain’s Copa del Rey and Super Cup. The coverage also extended to the CONCACAF Gold Cup (2011, 2013 & 2015), CONMEBOL Copa America (2011, 2015 & 2016), FIFA Women’s World Cup (2011 & 2015), UEFA Euro 2012, and FIFA World Cup 2014.

This website, Papa’s labor of love and livelihood, will offer free and subscriber content. Fútbol Papa is dedicated to covering Spanish Football, the UEFA Champions League, selected international competitions, and the world of football writ large, from players, to fans, to artisans, to venues. The site will provide more offerings as memberships increase and our communal ideas point the way. I hope that you will drop in often, that you will feel informed and entertained on your visits, that you will become a member, that you will pass the word along about the site, and that you will let me know how I can do this better.

Fútbol Papa attempts to provide Opinion Journalism (my opinion, via my understanding, based on my research), and to follow most of the foundational principles and practices of Solutions Journalism, Slow Journalism, Accountability Journalism, and Big Local News. Papa is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Online News Association and is working to become a member of the National Sports Media Association, and the International Sports Press Association. “Papa” is Robert J. Riccio, managing member of Futbol Papa, LLC. You can reach him at papa@futbolpapa.club, or at 4608 Picot Road, Alexandria, VA 22310 USA, from 10 am-3 pm, Monday through Fridays.

Time off—every year, unless there is an official game going on, Papa takes most USA national holidays and his birthday off, a few days off in the Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day period of the European soccer season break, and from the UEFA Champions League final until the beginning of the next La Liga season as vacation time. On summer tournament years (Euro, World Cup), vacation time is from the end of the given tournament until the beginning of the next La Liga season.

 About the Website Content and more

Fútbol Papa’s Free Content—available to all VISITORS—entails FP’s Blog on global soccer matters; the Key Match Brief (highlighting what happened in a key match of the week); and The Roundup (what happened throughout the covered competitions); Thought of the Day (a current global soccer issue of interest) and occasional bonus content.

Fútbol Papa’s Official Member Content ($30/year) includes all the free content plus: Key Match Reports of both La Liga and UCL games, Papa’s Opinion pieces and Football Book Reviews, special features on current and historic noteworthy games, coverage of Spanish Football’s Copa del Rey and Super Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA’s Club World Cup and Confederations Cup, access to a growing database of quality resources, and occasional bonus content. Subscriptions are for the 12-month period from time of purchase regardless of the fact that the site’s publishing year is from the opening date of La Liga until the UEFA Champions League final (except during particular tournament years when the closing date is the final of the given competition). There are no prorated terms or discounts.

Fútbol Papa’s Club Member Content ($45/year) includes the free and Official Member content plus the following additional content: coverage of the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro, CONCACAF Gold Cup, and CONMEBOL Copa America, as well as access to special features on current and historic noteworthy goals, players, coaches, and writers, and occasional bonus content. Though Papa will make every effort to keep costs at their current rates, if and when the costs of providing this service rise subscription prices will rise commensurately.

***Once the website has reached its yearly membership and funding goals, including contingency and endowment funds, two new member features will appear—Plus Content & FP-Grant.***

Fútbol Papa’s Plus Content, available to both Membership levels, and at no additional cost, will provide access to a developing line of features such as: a growing collection of audio and/or video interviews with current and past soccer players and coaches, team, national, and international administrators, futbol journalists, local fans, football-related artisans (producers of trophies, architects of stadia, groundsmen, manufacturers of uniforms, balls, boots/cleats), and venue tour videos (of the city and stadium of a competition, or locations of artisans). When this feature becomes available you will be able to access it via the Member Content dropdown menu.

Fútbol Papa’s FP-Grant. At the end of the La Liga season, Papa will award a grant to the member with the best comments on the blog. Papa will make the selection at his sole discretion, but the criteria for consideration are: you must have commented at least 12 times and your comments must be respectful, well written, thoughtful & insightful, concise, and well regarded by our readers. The grant will be the cost of setting up the winner’s own premium WordPress (or equivalent) website in their own country, up to $750, paid directly to the member’s chosen, verified, website service provider (host, designer, programmer, etc.).

PHOTOS: All photos used on Futbol Papa, unless expressly identified otherwise, are from Shutterstock under an editorial use agreement.

Other stuff

Fútbol Papa’s Items for Sale: in the future, Papa will offer items for sale (books, photos, etc.) available on Amazon.com.