noun

1. 1. Brit. soccer
   2. Brit. Rugby (sense )
   3. in the U.S., a game played on a field that is 100 yards long, with 2 teams of 11 players and a goal at each end: the players may attempt to score a touchdown by running or passing the ball, kick a field goal, etc.
   4. Canadian football
2. the oval, inflated, leather or rubber ball used in playing football in the U.S. or Canada
3. any issue, problem, etc. that is passed about or shunted from one group to another a political football

Etymology: ME foteballe