Football ˈfʊtbɔːl Political Ball Follow Noun Bre Play

• to play football
• a football match/team/stadium
• health care should not become a political football.
• children’s education should not be treated as a political football.

football

1. a game played by two teams of 11 players, using a round ball which players kick up and down the playing field. Teams try to kick the ball into the other team’s goal.
• see also Gaelic football
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/gaelic-football
• to play football
• a football match/team/stadium
• = American football
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/american-football
2. a large round or oval ball made of leather or plastic and filled with air
3. an issue or a problem that frequently causes argument and disagreement
• Health care should not become a political football.

Extra Examples

• Children’s education should not be treated as a political football.
• Even people who don’t follow football closely take great pride in their team.
• Join Radio 5 for all the top football action.
• Obscene football chants stop people taking their children to matches.
• The Dutch team impressed the fans with their classy one-touch football.
• The World Cup is fascinating for its clash of football cultures.
• The football world was rocked by the scandal.
• The government is trying to tackle violence on the football terraces.
• The police say the players’ behaviour is a matter for the football authorities.
• Young Italians follow football like we follow the royal family.