BBC Sounds launches Shadows on the Pitch, a new series exploring sport's strangest crimes. The debut episode introduces an investigation by football writer James Montague into a conspiracy theory surrounding the USA ‘94 World Cup.

The theory alleges that the United States manipulated the qualifying tournament to prevent Iraq, Iran, and North Korea from participating. This claim was first made by the Iraqi football federation over thirty years ago and has persisted in football folklore.

Montague has been obsessed with the story for over a decade, digging through archives and interviews to separate fact from fiction. The programme examines whether political pressure influenced FIFA's decisions during a volatile geopolitical era.

The episode is available on BBC Sounds for over a year, offering listeners a deep dive into one of football's most enduring mysteries. The series promises to uncover more shadows lurking on the pitch.