Sport's Strangest Crimes

<p>World Cup qualifiers return to Doha in 2025, and so does football conspiracy, but can James see through the controversy to get to the bottom of what happened on similar pitches over thirty years ago?</p><p>Presented by James Montgaue Written by Ben Wyatt and Emma Weatherill Production co-ordinator: Juliette Harvey Production manager: Debbie Waddell Development Executive: Emma Shaw Executive Producers: Ben Wyatt, Emma Weathrill and Joe Kent Sound Design and Composition: Melvin Rickarby Ass

<p>The world of spies and sports collide as James speaks to security specialists and those who lived-to-tell-the-tale about rumours of America’s shadowy past. From claims of secret mass surveillance of the Olympic Games, both home and abroad, to the curious World Cup interests of Henry Kissinger. But what does it all mean for the conspiracy theory he’s trying to make sense of, the claim that America influenced a World Cup qualifying tournament to protect USA ‘94?</p><p>Presented by James Mont

<p>A political powder-keg World Cup qualifying tournament held in Doha. American security on the line. James tries to make sense of what went down in the desert shadows.</p><p>Thirty years on he reviews the matches, looking for clues about why the conspiracy persists, and hears what it was like to play for Iraq in the 1990s under the whip of Uday Hussein - Saddam’s son.</p><p>Presented by James Montgaue Written by Ben Wyatt and Emma Weatherill Production co-ordinator: Juliette Harvey Production

<p>Can an ex-refree with a cryptic message help James unravel an explosive conspiracy about the build up to World Cup USA 1994? James travels to Bucharest to find out more … Presented by James Montgaue Written by Ben Wyatt and Emma Weatherill Production co-ordinator: Juliette Harvey Production manager: Debbie Waddell Development Executive: Emma Shaw Executive Producers: Ben Wyatt, Emma Weathrill and Joe Kent Sound Design and Composition: Melvin Rickarby Assistant Commissioner: Rob Gre

<p>Conspiracy theories and the football World Cup seem to go hand in hand. Football writer James Montague is digging into one that refuses to fade; a story that takes us back to the first time America hosted the men's football World Cup.. Did the US influence a qualifying tournament to keep its enemies Iraq, Iran and North Korea from playing at USA ‘94? It’s a conspiracy theory put forward by the Iraqi football federation over thirty years ago and one that’s obsessed football writer James

<p>The streak is over but the chaos is just beginning.</p><p>Mark Roberts has danced naked at the centre of the Super Bowl, been tackled by an NFL linebacker, and carried off the field. What he doesn’t realise is that minutes earlier, a “wardrobe malfunction” at halftime has triggered a media storm that might well dwarf his moment. </p><p>While Mark sits in a crowded Houston holding cell — still in his Velcro referee uniform — halftime producer Salli Frattini is hauled up to the NFL commissioner

<p>Houston, 2004. Super Bowl XXXVIII. The biggest television event of the year — and everyone involved is chasing perfection.</p><p>Inside the NFL machine, Jim Steeg is orchestrating a military-grade operation where every second is worth millions. In the production truck, Salli Frattini is holding together a halftime show so complex it feels like a controlled explosion: Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, pyro, thousands of performers, and cameras everywhere. On the field, Patriots linebacker Matt

<p>After failing in San Diego, Mark swore he’d never try the Super Bowl again. Then one unexpected email changes everything.</p><p>Comedian Rich Hall presents the story of an eight-month mission to infiltrate Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston - rehearsals, disguises, sponsor tattoos, and a growing belief that this time, he really might pull it off.</p><p>At the same time, the NFL’s Jim Steeg and MTV’s Salli Frattini are juggling post-9/11 security, a wildly complicated half-time show, and the pressu