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thepitchinspection.bsky.social
The Pitch Inspection
@thepitchinspection.bsky.social
2.1K followers 470 following 340 posts
A football journal bringing you investigations & stories on the good, bad & ugly sides of the game we love. Subscribe: http://thepitchinspection.substack.com Watch us here: www.Youtube.com/@ThePitchInspection Contact us: [email protected]
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The Pitch Inspection @thepitchinspection.bsky.social · Aug 20
🎥 Gaza’s Vanishing Stadiums

The football story that is being ignored.

Hundred’s of footballers killed, stadiums destroyed, illegal matches in occupied territories and almost complete silence from FIFA.

Please watch and share our latest film here 👇

youtu.be/cfjDXFif8Yw?...
Gaza's Vanishing Stadiums. The Football Story That Is Being Ignored.
YouTube video by The Pitch Inspection
youtu.be
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playthegame-org.bsky.social
Play the Game @playthegame-org.bsky.social · 6h
More articles from #ptg2025 are now live❗

If you’ve missed parts of the conference or want to dive deeper into the key discussions, our talented journalists
@karimzidan.com, Steve Menary, and Lars Jørgensen have you covered👇

www.playthegame.org/news/
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thepitchinspection.bsky.social
The Pitch Inspection @thepitchinspection.bsky.social · 5h
www.washingtonpost.com/sports/socce...
European soccer clubs group unveils new name at peak of its powers dealing with UEFA, FIFA
After 17 years as the European Club Association, the network of hundreds of soccer teams is at peak influence over UEFA in shaping the Champions League
www.washingtonpost.com
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migueldelaney.bsky.social
Miguel Delaney @migueldelaney.bsky.social · 6h
Sort of incredible the hullaballoo about the ECA's rebrand to EFC. It's just a club lobbying group*

*except, at this point, it's evolving into a third major body and potentially a future competition organiser.
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bylinepodcast.bsky.social
bylinepodcast.bsky.social @bylinepodcast.bsky.social · 2d
"It is a fact that the VIP Lane was unlawful, and it is a fact that being on the VIP Lane did offer some advantage..."

@russellscott1.bsky.social investigates the #PPE scandal and calls for accountability.

@goldbergradio.bsky.social @bylinetimes.bsky.social

podfollow.com/byline-podca...
Byline Podcast: PPE, The Pandemic and Cronyism with Russell Scott
Adrian Goldberg hears from Russell Scott, author of 'VIP Lane – Cronysim and the Pandemic', which is out now via Byline Books.Produced in Birmingham by Adrian Goldberg and Harvey White. Learn mor...
podfollow.com
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tariqpanja.bsky.social
Tariq Panja @tariqpanja.bsky.social · 11h
Paying the piper. Calling the tune.

Not a word from FIFA on this.

www.theguardian.com/football/202...
How did Qatar and Saudi Arabia get home advantage and more rest than rivals in World Cup qualifiers?
The Oman coach, Carlos Queiroz, is among those who are questioning the AFC’s decision for the upcoming games
www.theguardian.com
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globalreportingcentre.org
Global Reporting Centre @globalreportingcentre.org · 22h
She continued, “Here in Tampere, Finland, at the #PlaytheGame2025 conference, I’m meeting some of the super-brains who research and report on these issues, including @ncgeehan.bsky.social, director of @fairsq.bsky.social, who spoke on the need for radical reform of #FIFA.”
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globalreportingcentre.org
Global Reporting Centre @globalreportingcentre.org · 22h
The GRC's @andreacrossan.bsky.social and @sharonnadeem.bsky.social are currently in Finland for the @playthegame-org.bsky.social conference, an initiative by the Danish Institute for Sports Studies that promotes democratic values in world sports. www.playthegame.org
Play the Game
www.playthegame.org
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casmudde.bsky.social
Cas Ⓜ️udde @casmudde.bsky.social · 21h
“Gen Z protesters are uniting under an unlikely symbol”
Why Gen Z protesters worldwide are flying an anime pirate flag
Gen Z protesters from Indonesia and Nepal to Madagascar and Morocco, are rallying behind an unexpected banner: a grinning skull in a straw hat.
www.npr.org
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barryglendenning.bsky.social
Barry Glendenning @barryglendenning.bsky.social · 1d
As an immigrant who has come over here, etc and so on, I support Gary Neville on this one.

He has infuriated and enraged all the right racists and media outlet gobshites, in a state of affairs which suggests every word he said was spot on.
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barryglendenning.bsky.social
Barry Glendenning @barryglendenning.bsky.social · 1d
Simon Jordan on TalkSport, unchallenged yet again.

As a Talksport employee, I am embarrassed by this rebuttal of what Neville said. This moron pontificates without question. It is bonkers.

And yeah, i'll probably be sacked. Fuck it.

youtube.com/watch?v=FrXr...
"APPALLING STANCE!" Simon Jordan rages at "COWARD" Gary Neville after Union Jack REMOVAL admission!
YouTube video by talkSPORT
youtube.com
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davidstoreygeog.bsky.social
David Storey @davidstoreygeog.bsky.social · 1d
Uefa and Fifa’s failure to sanction the Israel Football Association is a moral and political failure
@ncgeehan.bsky.social & @antoineduval.bsky.social
@josimarfootball.bsky.social
josimarfootball.com/2025/10/06/m...
More political theatre while Gaza burns - josimarfootball.com
Uefa and Fifa’s failure to sanction the Israel Football Association is a moral and political failure.
josimarfootball.com
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karimzidan.com
Karim Zidan @karimzidan.com · 1d
In my speech at @playthegame-org.bsky.social 2025 in Finland, I delved into Donald Trump’s bond with the UFC and reveal the cast of power players shaping his sports agenda.

You can reach the speech and watch the entire session here: www.sportspolitika.news/p/speech-tru...
Speech: Trump, the UFC, and the new world order in sports
In my speech at Play the Game 2025, I delve into Donald Trump’s bond with the UFC and reveal the cast of power players shaping his sports agenda.
www.sportspolitika.news
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 1d
More bangers than Taylor’s latest…
🤝 Post-Diarra transfer market will hinge on clever release clauses
🏧 Late-pay disputes explode as clubs exploit Bank of FIFA
💸 America/AI dominate Leaders
🎗️ Tom Wagner’s plea to save poor ol’ PL
🇺🇸 MCO investor Paul Conway released

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
Business of Football: The future is release clauses, the Bank of FIFA, and Leaders takeaways
The football transfer market has a new issue to contend with after Lassana Diarra's landmark win over FIFA. Could this be a solution?
www.nytimes.com
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philippeauclair.bsky.social
Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 1d
Let us hope these "discussions" lead to nothing but the termination of this indefensible commercial relationship with Kagame's dictatorship. As to you, fellow Arsenal fans, why parade shirts which promote it? We too share responsability here.
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 2d
Arsenal are in discussions over extending their sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda.

Arsenal fan group Gunners For Peace said discussions over extending the deal brought the club’s values into question.

✍️ @gunnerblog.bsky.social and @dansheldon.bsky.social

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
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philippeauclair.bsky.social
Philippe Auclair @philippeauclair.bsky.social · 2d
The proof that UEFA is dead against staging domestic league games abroad is that is has just authorised (albeit "reluctantly") two of them to take place. "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength". via @tariqpanja.bsky.social
"UEFA confirms its opposition to domestic league matches played abroad Two requests approved on an exceptional basis amid regulatory gaps at the global level. UEFA committed to anchor integrity of domestic competitions and fans' perspective in forthcoming FIFA rules UEFA has today reiterated its clear opposition to domestic league matches being played outside their home country. After the meeting of its Executive Committee in Tirana last month, UEFA undertook further consultations with stakeholders to assess the extent of the implications of the issue, following the applications it received from the Spanish and Italian national football associations. That consultation confirmed the widespread lack of support that had already been raised by fans, other leagues, clubs, players, and European institutions around the concept of domestic league matches being relocated abroad However, given that the relevant FIFA regulatory framework currently under review is not clear and detailed enough, the UEFA Executive Committee has reluctantly taken the decision to approve, on an exceptional basis, the two requests referred to it. UEFA will actively contribute to the ongoing work led by FIFA to ensure that future rules uphold the integrity of domestic competitions and the close bond between clubs, their supporters, and local communities. In parallel, all UEFA national associations confirmed their commitment to engage with UEFA before submitting any future requests. In doing so, they voiced their collective determination to safeguard the wider interests of European football. Announcing the decision, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said: "League matches should be played on home soil; anything else would disenfranchise loyal match-going fans and potentially introduce distortive elements into competitions. Our consultation confirmed the breadth of these concerns. I would like to thank the 55 national associations for their constructive and responsible engagement on such a sen…
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nkalamb.bsky.social
Nathan Kalman-Lamb @nkalamb.bsky.social · 1d
FIFA’s just fine with that, though, huh?
State Department reportedly denies visas for Iran delegation ahead of December's World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.
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migueldelaney.bsky.social
Miguel Delaney @migueldelaney.bsky.social · 2d
Only in modern football can you announce you’re against something by allowing it

www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
Uefa’s ‘reluctant’ agreement to games abroad blows the future of football wide open
The governing body has agreed to two ‘exceptional’ requests and warned they will not set a precedent - but ripping up the rulebook opens the door to every disruptor to come
www.independent.co.uk
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davidstoreygeog.bsky.social
David Storey @davidstoreygeog.bsky.social · 2d
"We want hospitals not football stadiums"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Morocco's Gen Z protesters: 'We need hospitals more than football stadiums'
Morocco will soon have the world's largest football stadium but this has angered many young people who want better services.
www.bbc.co.uk
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farenet.bsky.social
Fare network @farenet.bsky.social · 2d
USA 🇺🇸

The U.S. govt has denied visas to Iranian FA president Mehdi Taj, coach Amir Ghalenoei, and others ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw in Washington.
buff.ly/FH1xt6n
State Department reportedly denies visas for Iran delegation ahead of December's World Cup draw in Washington, D.C. | Goal.com
The U.S. State Department reportedly denied visa requests from Iran's delegation ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup draw in Washington D.C. According to the Tehran Times, the U.S. government has…
www.goal.com
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josimarfootball.bsky.social
JosimarFootball @josimarfootball.bsky.social · 2d
Uefa and Fifa’s failure to sanction the Israel Football Association is a moral and political failure.

By @ncgeehan.bsky.social and @antoineduval.bsky.social

josimarfootball.com/2025/10/06/m...
More political theatre while Gaza burns - josimarfootball.com
Uefa and Fifa’s failure to sanction the Israel Football Association is a moral and political failure.
josimarfootball.com
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casmudde.bsky.social
Cas Ⓜ️udde @casmudde.bsky.social · 3d
Phenomenal tifo by @bodoglimt.bsky.social fans. 🙌
jerryh1962.bsky.social
Jerry Howse @jerryh1962.bsky.social · 3d
“Be careful who you hate, it could be someone you love.”
📍FK Bodø/Glimt, Norway
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chwb.bsky.social
Christoph Becker @chwb.bsky.social · 3d
…has made the shortcomings of its public services, especially hospitals and schools, even more glaring.

According to the WHO, Morocco has fewer than 8 doctors per 10,000 people - well below the recommended 25.

"Health first, we don’t want the World Cup" is another of the demonstrators' slogans.”
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thepitchinspection.bsky.social
The Pitch Inspection @thepitchinspection.bsky.social · 4d
Honourable mention…
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samindrakunti.bsky.social
Sam Kunti @samindrakunti.bsky.social · 5d
Keep an eye on FIFA's standing committees. The good old Blatter days, jobs for the boys.
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thepitchinspection.bsky.social
The Pitch Inspection @thepitchinspection.bsky.social · 4d
📸1) Oct-25: Mass Gen Z protests in Morocco, protesting against heavy spending on infrastructure for the 2030 World Cup instead of on public services.

📸2) Sept-25: Gianni Infantino praising the same infrastructure

Another part of the Infantino-FIFA legacy.

www.middleeasteye.net/news/what-ge...
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