Like @Raj has suggested, how about a "News and Topical Events" topic where all the topics @Mark mentioned are brought under one umbrella which would be easier to check over for the mods. Maybe with a set of behaviour guidelines so posters know the boundaries of what is acceptable and if that line is crossed they get a warning or a ban.
IMO a general ban would be more of a deterrent than simply locking and deleting a topic, because those that simply want confrontation will find it on a different topic.
Most posters who contribute outside of the actual football topics, are thoughtful and intelligent with various levels of knowledge, expertise, opinions and points of view which are expressed reasonably and respectfully. A lot of us here are better informed because of them.