Top recent posts by British Football Journalism Community on Bluesky

Reading about the manosphere for work. It's enraging but ultimately frustrating. The frustration: so little emphasis is placed on just befriending people -yes, including women! - and on being part of a community instead of trying to conquer it. It's fine just being nice. You don't need to be a King.

Right arm in pain now from holding it up for an hour during Gianni Infantino’s press conference World Cup press conference and being studiously ignored by FIFA’s comms head Bryan Swanson. What was there to worry about after all FIFA is now a transparent and trusted organisation. 😳

Leaving aside proportionality (!) maybe it’s because you’re a festering, oozing wart on the ballbag of football with a heart of pure evil and Mamdani is not 👍

Gianni Infantino hadn't held a proper press conference in three years He still hasn't This was a Trumpian ramble where he tried to reframe reality and avoid difficult truths www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

It's not a "male loneliness epidemic". It's *a male friendship crisis*. Men are encouraging unhealthy behaviour in each other and at best waiting for women to heal them. Fundamentally, these men - either those in the manosphere or those influenced by it - are just not being kind to each other.

The amount of you I’m going to be side eyeing when England show consistent threat from setpieces in the World Cup btw. I’ve heard too much nonsense this season to let it slide…

If they gave any consistency, Fifa should ban the singing of "La Marseillaise" as well.

Infantino calls for critics to "chill and relax" over Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan being blocked from travel to the US. The mind boggles.

"Being A Man" gets built up into being this huge unattainable goal but actually life gets a lot easier if you just go online and try being friendly. Of course Men are going to think being a Man is a Warrior Quest if they talk about it like that all the time. But it doesn't have to be that deep!

This thing of "I cannot find a romantic partner therefore all is doomed" - the problem is that so many men are socialised against making friends that they put far too much pressure on finding a partner as the solution to all their ills, as if a partner can or should "fix" everything.

Going to be a free-for-all when City are found guilty. www.thelawyer.com/everton-to-p...

Summer fit sorted

happy world cup day! www.theguardian.com/football/202...

New for @josimarfootball.bsky.social: Fifa's favourite megastar Shakira will perform her new WC "anthem" "Dai Dai" at the opening ceremony tomorrow. All proceeds to go to charity? No, despite the pledges: she and her co-writers, including Ed Sheeran, stand to make a small fortune from the song.

From the new edition of @privateeyenews.bsky.social: the CEO of the Great Britain Gambling Commission, Andrew Rhodes, has left his job to...become a consultant to the gambling industry he was paid to regulate five minutes ago? How wonderful for him. #jobsfortheboys

One thing will always surprise me: why do UK media which follow our work (many do) not pick up on our stories? I'd have thought "Ed Sheeran to make £££££ from World Cup "charity" record" pretty much wrote itself, but no. Ha well, we'll carry on.

🇺🇸 A huge boost to the USMNT: Chris Richards is available for the World Cup opener against Paraguay and says he hasn't been told of any minutes restrictions. "If I start Friday, it's not going to put my tournament in jeopardy." www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

World Cup. The first one I went to was Italia 90. It blew my mind being part of that global party - accessible to all including a teenager with £200 and a sleeping bag (plenty for two matches and a million laughs). Over time that ideal has been corrupted. www.theguardian.com/football/blo...

Infantino says "as Fifa president I have a statutory responsibility to raise the income to invest in parts of the world where people don't invest" (a) they have immense revenues anyway (b) he does not that have statutory responsibility

It's an orgy of male-on-male cruelty. Like the schoolyard bullying that men think we can't escape. But the thing is - men can. Despite the algorithms and the cost of living, men have much more agency that we admit or accept. Feeding that sense of a total lack of agency feels irresponsible.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

All I ask for from modern tv shows are a night scene where I can actually see what’s happening.

Infantino going on about how "democracy must be respected" Democracy doesn't involve a one-candidate system, and generally has fixed term limits.

The Immaculate Deflection.

A thorough waste of everyone’s time because, by the time you’ve convinced enough people that it exists, it has already burned the world halfway to the ground.

It’s been some time and I still sing Noni Madueke’s name to the tune of Smooth Criminal several times a day.

Gianni says chill “Mr. Infantino, who earns around $6 million in salary, noted that FIFA invests most of its income in soccer development around the world.” www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/w...

🇺🇸 USMNT key defender Chris Richards when asked if he can start Friday: “I’m ready. It’s the World Cup.” Adds he doesn’t make the decision if he’ll start but says he’s good to go.

Infantino responds to a Q from Dan Roan about Artan by pointing to how he's from BBC and nobody would want Fifa to overrule UK laws if they hold 2035 Women's World Cup A completely evasive and prepared line (that misses the point), given it was what Fifa were saying yesterday

this is gonna be an all-time "everybody gets laid!" night in the City

That play by Fox was worse than Wemby's pass at the end of game 2. Just an all-time braindead play.

Bobby Firmino in a Liverpool shirt on his Insta there ❤️

The underlying message of the manosphere seems to be "if the world is unpleasant to you then ultimately you have the right to explode". (As opposed to "the world has been unpleasant to me, how can I contribute to making the world a more pleasant place") . It's a grimly effective sell.

In the manosphere, telling men they are doomed is good for business. What is not good for business is saying "see those spite-filled anonymous chatrooms that you join, why not instead join one where you earnestly compliment people on wholesome stuff they made that you liked"

Someone asked "what model of masculinity is out there to rival what Tate is selling" and I think, we don't need some Master of the Universe paradigm. All we need is: "small and constant acts of kindness to the community around you". (My mentor at uni, now retired, is the perfect example of that.)

This looks extraordinary. A film which has been a full half-century in the making. Something of a miracle that we'll finally get to see it!

🚨 Manchester City verbal proposal to Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson was worth £106m + add-ons taking it above £120m. #NFFC want British record fee guaranteed, not after bonuses. No fresh talks with #MCFC over 23yo England midfielder 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

See, what Fox should've done is back it out and just made the Knicks foul instead of challenging OG at the rim

Press conference is now over. Very few questions to journalists who Fifa know have offered critical reporting of Infantino. He's instead asked about Messi and who might win the World Cup.

Understand this is a two-year deal.

Each of these men should try one thing: from the moment you wake up in the morning, to the moment you go to bed at night, spend an entire day being nice to yourself. No mean self-talk, no disparaging others to make yourself feel better, no "tough love". Just gentleness. It would blow their minds.

🚨 BREAKING: Kieran McKenna to step down as Ipswich Town head coach. 40yo Northern Irishman decision to take time away from management + #ITFC protected financially if/when makes return. Contingency planning already started; now accelerates 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

🔵 Sources: Sporting KC pushing to sign winger FC Toulouse winger Yann Gboho. Gboho valued at $20m by Toulouse. Nothing advanced at all yet, ambitious pursuit with European interest. One of several DP targets for SKC. With @paultenorio.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

When my mentor at uni retired, people travelled from far and wide to his retirement dinner, because he poured constant love and care into the lives of his students for forty years. I have rarely seen so much love in one room. It's not that he meant it to be reciprocated, but he got it all back.

NYC MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI. COMING TOMORROW 👀 Tune in after the games for the debut episode of Night Cup, our brand new, nightly recap show where Rog and Rory break down all of the day's action, pint in hand, with celebrity guests 🏆

Was sent this yesterday by a friend - The Guardian named our six-part podcast as their pick of the week! Please do check it out on YouTube or Spotify. Really enjoyed working on it, I hope you enjoy listening to it.

They all seem like such nice fellas e.g. "19 convictions for 33 offences including battery, robbery, burglary and shoplifting. On one occasion, he broke a partner's front teeth, punched her unconscious and when she woke up told her he had put bleach in her hair." www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cn...

Canada bound. Thinking of the great journalist Malcolm Brodie who went to a record 14 World Cups. What he must have seen… PS Anyone in Toronto let us know some good places to watch games.

🚨 Manchester United admiration for Elliot Anderson well known but not in contention at current financial level. #MUFC refusing to enter bidding war; targeting players who want them + focused on candidates like Mateus Fernandes & Alex Scott 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...

Arsenal have won the Community Shield on the last five occasions they have contested it, with the last three successes all coming via a penalty shootout.

Trying to watch a game in Orlando but being unsure of KO time due to thunder storms is very NWSL coded.

A brief and incomplete modern history of #NUFC & divisive playing kits … A “fresh, new take” on b&w stripes or “like something you’d see on a packet of reduced ham?” FREE to read … www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

🚨 EXCL: Fulham have held talks with Alvaro Arbeloa about head coach vacancy following Marco Silva exit. 43yo Spaniard available after leaving Real Madrid & has met #FFC to discuss possibility of taking Craven Cottage role 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

England look … very very good

Confession - I chose to read about the manosphere in the morning and not the evening, because I didn't want this to be the last thing I thought about before bed. That was a sensible strategy: this stuff is basically a horror movie.

Michelle Akers was on that team.

The 26 players in Bosnia and Herzegovina's World Cup squad hail from 19 separate leagues, the most of any team 🇧🇦 Meanwhile Qatar called up just ONE player who plays their club football outside the country 🇶🇦

The official Fifa website has a needless translator for the Infantino press conference, that makes it like that episode of Father Ted. "Mi querido Bryan" "My dear Bryan"

Infantino - still not a question asked - praising himself for the "impossible" of Iran playing in the World Cup "I don't know who else, in these circumstances, which we cannot influence, obviously can make Iran come and play"

And video piece of my big World Cup preview If there's an underlying theme to this World Cup it's the ongoing sense of the game being taken away from those who most care... ... but the football itself and what it means perseveres www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEG7...

FIFA announces official seating capacities at World Cup venues:

Not surprised at those numbers because Forest are in a strong position and know that City could (will eventually) pay up - they can’t afford to miss out after Rice. Anderson is top quality, ticks all the boxes and could be the heart of their midfield for a decade. It’ll get done.

Incredibly impressed by the work the 615 gang put together here. Great resource.

Shooting 60% from the field is crazy haha

Now wondering at the percentage of the men in the manosphere who are quietly and absolutely terrified of each other but can't ever admit it.

It's tournament eve. This is a World Cup like no other: madder, badder and more geopolitical than ever. It's OK to be excited about the football. It's OK to be appalled by everything else. inews.co.uk/sport/footba...

Arsenal have been runners up in 12 league seasons. Nine of those have come in the Premier League era (since 1992). 1904 to 1992 - 10 titles, three runners up. 1992 to 2026 - four titles, nine runners up.

Everton are appealing after being ordered to pay Burnley $47M for breaching PL financial rules in the 2021/21 season. Burnley, who were relegated, argued Everton's breach reduced their survival hopes so sought compensation. Everton are "surprised and angered" at the decision ⚖️

Infantino: “the press conferences we had three years ago, we all remember that” “I was feeling we had to give a voice to those who are unheard”

The World Cup starts today, making it a great time to invest in… www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Glory-...

More details on GBGC's ex-CEO pivoting to the private gambling sector in this piece. Obscene.

My big World Cup preview It's the US, so of course size dictates everything - right down to overshadowing the use of the Azteca, the issues and how the tournament is going to play out www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

"Enigma Variations" Half Six Fix with the @londonsymphony.bsky.social at the Barbican last night. There is no more enthused and enthusing compere for these wonderful one-hour concerts than Antonio Pappano. Now - first question: why aren't these broadcast live? That format is ideal for TV.

Messi on the Plains: NIL, lemonade and an eagle bring World Cup magic to Auburn. By @jaybusbee.bsky.social sports.yahoo.com/soccer/artic...

The more I read about it the less I know about it.

🚨NEW for Patrons🚨 Scouting Morgan Rogers (with a bit on the Medical shakeup at Arsenal) @clivepafc.bsky.social 🔴Checking the data 🔴Watching Rogers in all phases of play and positions 🔴His goals catalogue 🔴VERDICT! www.patreon.com/posts/video-...

The Men in Blazers Newsletter has FLOWN 🦅 In today's issue: 🤩 It’s World Cup eve! 🏆 The managers trying to break a 96 year curse 😎 A look at the tournament’s vibiest teams 🇵🇹 Ronaldo’s ultimate quest continues READ IT HERE 📫: mibcourage.co/4uw4tvN

OUR (UNOFFICIAL) THIRD FIRST KIT 👕 Our kit for the red, white, and blue has finally dropped 🟥⬜️🟦 Built to handle the glorious, beer-soaked chaos of the pub watch parties and the existential dread of the 90th minute in the stadium. GET YOUR KIT: mibcourage.co/4ouut9h

USMNT's Chris Richards on track for World Cup opener after ankle injury: 'Whatever it takes' Story from U.S. camp …

A new chat about all things Tottenham Hotspur on a busy day off. youtu.be/BDVPw8PCR8A

NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social President Trump not currently planning to attend USMNT opening FIFA World Cup match against Paraguay on Friday night at SoFi Stadium, per four people familiar with match planning or his plans. He has walkthroughs of White House UFC event on Friday.

Gutter coming up 👀🎙️

The 2026 World Cup: so much to dislike/deplore, so much to look forward to — as was the case in Qatar and Russia. If you feel conflicted, you're not the only one. But unless fatigue and the horribly bloated format kill it, the football will still be a joy to behold www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...

First Copa Independent episode from the US, on: - Infantino’s Trumpian address - the opening game and Mexico - the tone of opening games - are we OK with opening ceremonies? - the atmosphere in US youtu.be/7SyrjYIm6Gc?...

The World Cup in the set piece epoch FIFA thinks it can fix a game rushing into the unknown. Can it? Should it? A long read

🔥🔥 My Team for Matchday 1 🔥🔥 youtu.be/I7iTvLhdt3w?...

Most clean sheets in a Premier League season for Arsenal 23 - 1998/99 21 - 1993/94 19 - 1997/98 19 - 2025/26

Introducing your hosts for the 2026 World Cup here on the Football Ramble... 🌎 🏆

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 - 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 🏆 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 & 𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐜: Viral World Cup fans, giant FIFA lanyards & the slow death of the phrase “World Cup finals” @cdeccleshare.bsky.social @nickmiller79.bsky.social

as a neutral I just think it'd be really funny if this game turned into a Sochan/Olynyk thunderdome

Heading out to the US tomorrow morning, and here are all the things that will definitely happen out there – courtesy of your Guardian World Cup team: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Merry World Cup Eve everyone! 🏆 Do you agree with the Ramblers' predictions? 👇 🧵(1/6): Marcus

Kieran McKenna steps down as Ipswich manager. Latest from @nickames82.bsky.social

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust have sent a letter to Spurs chairman Peter Charrington with their members' concerns and the urgent needs in the transfer window. www.football.london/tottenham-ho...

It's always one of the greatest pleasures of the year when this is published but being asked to contributing is bittersweet: it's a real honour (and likely means Arsenal are represented) but means I have less to read as a fan. Take a look and keep an eye open for the World Cup XI in a few weeks!

Thursday's lineup... 👇

Another World Cup begins beset by off-field problems. jonawils.substack.com/p/infantino-...

Was Marcus' winner ever in doubt? 👀 Hear the rest of our World Cup predictions here! 👉 lnk.to/Ramble

🎥 World Cup Day & Transfer Business On Hold | The Breakfast Wrap with AURA FRAMES World Cup gossip and its impact on transfers. @knoxharrington.bsky.social hosts @johngibbons.bsky.social & @jsexton24.bsky.social... 📺 Watch for FREE👉 bit.ly/4xndTwa 🎧 Listen for FREE👉 bit.ly/4vHW35m

I feel like taking some of these men in the forums to one side and quietly asking them "hey, do you actually feel safe here? This feels kind of hostile in here, doesn't it? Like these men seething about women might suddenly turn all that hate towards you. Doesn't that worry you?"