Richard

Richard Fitzpatrick

Richard Fitzpatrick is a print and radio journalist. He works for news organisations around the world, including BBC, Bleacher Report, Irish Times and talkSPORT, as well as making radio documentaries for RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster. He lives in Barcelona and is the author of El Clásico: Barcelona v Real Madrid, Football’s Greatest Rivalry (Bloomsbury).

Ep 2039: Football’s greedy rulers hurting the game and its players

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about the impact of FIFA's and UEFA's increasing demands on players and the toll this takes. Also Kylian Mbappé, his move to Real Madrid and an allegation of rape that has been made against him.

Ep 1999: UEFA Euro 2024 - Spain a good team divided by bad politics

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about the political division in Spanish life and football in advance of Spain's quarter final match against Germany on Friday 5th July.

Ep 1975: Champions League Final - Brittle Real Madrid to find enough magic to win their 15th Final

Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about Real Madrid in advance of the Champions League Final in Wembley where they will meet Borussia Dortmund next Saturday. Richard is a journalist based in Barcelona.

Ep 1962: Real Madrid - the beautiful game blighted shameful racism

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about Real Madrid and what lies behind the continuing success of a great club.

Ep 1886: Soccer Super League will be back; without it Spanish and Italian football will die

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon to talk about the European Court of Justice ruling against UEFA and FIFA, and the crisis in Barcelona football. Also Eamon talks about putting the great Ballon d'Or-winning Luis Suárez in his place at his international debut in Paris in 1965.

Ep 1793: Luis Rubiales and the 'kiss' - the sex scandal consuming Spain

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about the unwanted kiss that has exposed a culture of bullying and sexual aggression and worse in Spanish football..

Ep 1753: A flawed hero, the story of ‘Pep’

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about the career of 'Pep' Guardiola.

Ep 1736: Vinicius Junior, age 22, the latest victim of Spanish racism

Barcelana-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about racism in Spanish football's La Liga and the failure of authorities to address it.

Ep 1729: Corrupt and broke Real Madrid and Barca unable to compete with Abu Dhabi-backed Man City

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon to talk about Real Madrid's defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final and the deep financial problems in both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Ep 1658: Racism and corruption at the heart of crisis in Spanish soccer

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon to talk about unfolding scandals in Spanish football.

Ep 1586: World Cup 2022 - Spain can contend but a divided nation will not unite behind them

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about the Spanish team and how Coach Luis Enrique does it his way.

Ep 1553: Barca Fight Their Way Back From the Brink of Bankruptcy

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about La Liga in advance of this coming Sunday's El Clasico. They also talk about the case being taken in the European Court by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus for the right to join the European Super League.

Ep 1441: Champions League Preview - No Surprise if Real Are Champions Again

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon in advance of the Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Paris. They also talk about European soccer, the impact of Kylian Mbappé's rejection of Real Madrid's offer as he accepts a record breaking deal to stay in PSG.

Ep 1382: Spanish Football - Barca’s Spectacular Revival

Barcelona-based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about La Liga and the return of Barcelona to winning form under Xavi.

Ep 1272: Is Xavi The Messiah To Save Barca?

Barcelona based journalist Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon to discuss the decline of FC Barcelona and asks if Xavi is the man to lead the team back to greatness. Eamon and Richard also talk about the European Super League and the forthcoming challenge in the European Court of Justice and how the Bosman Ruling offers a possible pathway to its introduction.

Ep 1223: The End of an Era in Spanish Football As Real and Barca Struggle

Barcelona based journalist, Richard Fitzpatrick, joins Eamon to talk about the troubles in the Spanish football league.

Ep 1191: Real Madrid and Barcelona Wounded And Unlikely Challengers for European Honours

Journalist Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona on the turmoil at the top of Spanish soccer.

Ep 1122: A Week Is A Long Time In Spanish Football

Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon to discuss Villareal's triumph, Suarez's revenge, Zidane's resignation, Benzema's return, and Spain's controversial squad for the Euros.

Ep 1091: ESL – Sad, Mad, or Bad, Florentino Perez Isn't Giving Up

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona on the collapse of the European Super League, and the influence of the Real Madrid president on the footballing world.

Ep 1041: Barcelona - Police Raid on the Nou Camp Brings the Club to a New Low

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona.

Ep 1016: Broke and Beaten, Real and Barca Face Hard Choices

Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon to discuss recent revelations about the perilous financial situations at Barcelona and Real Madrid, as well as the ongoing Messi transfer saga.

Ep 967: Football Special – End of Spain's Glorious Era

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona on the fading powers of the Spanish football giants.

Ep 910: Spain Prepares for Saddest Clasico Ever In A Country Bitterly Divided by Covid Pandemic

Ahead of an unusual meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about the Spanish second wave.

Ep 848: Irreconcilable Differences Make Messi's Man City Move More Likely

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona ahead of a crucial meeting between Messi's representatives and club president Josep Bartomeu.

Ep 845: Messi Talks to Pep and Looks Good to Go to City

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona on the developing Messi transfer saga.

Ep 843: Lionel Messi for the Premier League?

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona on the latest developments in the Messi transfer saga.

Ep 833: Barcelona's Humiliation

Journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon.

Ep 827: Spain Tortured By Coronavirus

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona on the surging numbers of Covid-19 cases across Spain, and discusses a chaotic summer so far for Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Ep 800: Barcelona and Messi – The Sad End to a Glorious Era

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona on a great club in crisis.

Ep 734: Michael Robinson - An Obituary and Dark Clouds on the Political Horizon

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona.

Ep 696: Spain - Covid-19 Takes a Heavy Toll

Journalist Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon.

Ep 682: Covid-19 Special – Death, Despair, and No Easy Answer as Pandemic Sweeps the World

In a special episode, Eamon is joined by contributors from around the world – Peter Goff in China, Lara Marlowe in France, Richard Fitzpatrick in Barcelona, and Paddy Agnew in Italy – to discuss the political and social effects of the coronavirus on their respective countries.

Ep 656: Spanish Giants in Steep Decline

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona.

Ep 650: Champions League Special – Redemption for Real if they can overcome City

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona on a pivotal week in Spanish football.

Ep 642: Rui Pinto – The Man Exposing the Football Mafia

Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about the source of the Football Leaks, and looks ahead to tonight's Champion's League clash between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

Ep 634: Lionel Messi - Unhappy at Barca. Bound for Premier League?

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona.

Ep 605: Crisis At Barcelona

Richard Fitzpatrick, an Irish football journalist based in Spain, talks to Eamon about the botched sacking of Ernesto Valverde, and what comes next for the Catalan club.

Ep 539: No Quick End to Catalan Troubles

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona.

Ep 512: Soccer Special – Spanish giants in trouble

Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon to discuss the rocky start to the season made by Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Ep 494: Ireland Win A Fighting Point; Lionel Messi's Barca Contract

John Giles and Eamon discuss Ireland's draw with the Swiss, while Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Spain on the big two's early struggles in La Liga.

Ep 474: Tug-of-war for Neymar as Spanish football descends into soap opera

Richard Fitzpatrick joins us on the line from Barcelona as the Spanish football season begins.

Ep 469: Spanish giants fight back

Real Madrid and Barcelona spend big to match Liverpool and Manchester City – Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Barcelona.

Ep 443: Real Madrid and Barcelona – The Spanish giants spend big

Richard Fitzpatrick talks to Eamon about Spain's bid to match the Premier League for European supremacy.

Ep 423: Real Madrid and Barcelona: Spanish giants in meltdown

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Spain.

Ep 412: Spanish soccer giants in troubling decline.

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Spain on the grave crises at Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Ep 356: Crisis at Real Madrid

Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Spain.

Ep 259: Big trouble at Real Madrid

Ahead of this weekend's derby between Real Madrid and Barcelona, Richard Fitzpatrick joins Eamon to discuss the ongoing problems at the Champions League holders - and a first Clásico without either Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi since 2007.

Ep 252: Ireland hit the wall

John Giles and Liam Brady join Eamon to discuss the 1-0 defeat to Wales at the Aviva Stadium. There's some robust discussion about the efficacy of the Ireland wall; how much, if any, attention is paid to set-pieces during trainin;, and lots more, before Richard Fitzpatrick reports from Spain on the latest developments in the ongoing Cristiano Ronaldo story.

Ep 181: World Cup Special - Spanish crisis

On the eve of the World Cup Spain fired their manager, Julen Lopetegui, after he was announced as the new head coach of Real Madrid. Eamon is joined by Richard Fitzpatrick and John Giles to get the background and insight into this remarkable development for one of the tournament favourites.

Ep 174: Football bonus episode

Zinedine Zidane won his third successive Champions League with Real Madrid last week, but yesterday stepped down from his role as manager. Eamon talks to journalist Richard Fitzpatrick about that decision, the repercussions for the club and an ageing squad, and there's an update on the future of Gareth Bale amid Man United interest.

Ep 170: Champions League final preview

Eamon chats to John Giles and Liam Brady about the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in Kiev on Saturday night. He's also joined from Spain by journalist Richard Fitzpatrick who reveals the Spaniards are very confident of winning their third consecutive Champions League.

Ep 119: The crisis at Real Madrid with Richard Fitzpatrick

What is going on at Real Madrid this season? Currently 19 points behind Barcelona, and lying 4th in the table, with Zinedine Zidane under real pressure, and Cristiano Ronaldo suffering his worst season ever for goalscoring, things are a mess. Eamon is joined by Spanish based sports writer Richard Fitzpatrick to discuss.