English soccer legend and TV sports pundit Rio Ferdinand will front a new three-part docuseries for Amazon’s Prime Video that explores some of the key social issues that are impacting the world of soccer today.
Premiering on November 11 in more than 50 territories worldwide, Rio Ferdinand’s Tipping Point finds Ferdinand (pictured) addressing how racism, homophobia, and a tacit silence about mental health issues have long been woven into the culture of soccer at every level. Offering insights from his own experiences as a biracial athlete, Ferdinand also speaks with people from across the spectrum of the sport — from fans, to elite players, to representatives of clubs and governing bodies — to discover how pervasive such prejudices are, and what can be done to remedy them.
““I have spent most of my life in the football world and have experienced racism first-hand, as well as witnessing the impact of homophobia and mental health throughout the game,” said Ferdinand in a release. “It has been a process and a journey which has been educational, seeing sport through a different lens. As an industry we’re at a tipping point, and real change needs to be made to safeguard the future of our game.”
The series is helmed by Matt Smith, who previously worked with Ferdinand on the award-winning Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad, which follows the footballer as he copes with single parenthood following the loss of his wife to cancer. Smith has also directed the soccer docs Rooney and David Beckham: For the Love of the Game.
Rio Ferdinand’s Tipping Point is produced by Brave, the creative and content development arm of Hamburg-based sports marketing agency Sportfive, along with Smith’s Circle Circle Films and UK sports talent management agency New Era Ingenious.
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