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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater
@mjslater.bsky.social
8.2K followers 1K following 280 posts
I cover the business/politics of football & other global sports for The Athletic. In other words, I mainly do bad news. 🔗 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/matt-slater/
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Matt Slater
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 1d
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Can the spine of the team stay fit?
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Rashford or Gordon?
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Who is first-choice left back?
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 What to do with Bellingham, Palmer, Foden, Alexander-Arnold?

The questions Thomas Tuchel must answer after England secured World Cup qualification.

✍️ @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social
England’s World Cup starts here – but there are questions Thomas Tuchel must answer
Bring back the big names? Who's at left back? How to deal with the heat? The questions facing the England manager...
www.nytimes.com
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 2d
🎙️Are Spurs for sale? What was that £100m from Enic for? Who is Peter Charrington? Do blondes have more fun?

@aakinwo.bsky.social @jaydmharris.bsky.social @dankp.bsky.social & I grapple with all the big Tottenham-related questions…

pod.fo/e/33d25e
The Athletic FC Podcast: Are Spurs for sale?
In early September, Daniel Levy stepped down from his role as Spurs chairman after nearly 25 years.So who is running the show now? And are Spurs for up for sale?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Matt Slate...
pod.fo
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Reposted by Matt Slater
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 2d
The life of a Premier League player’s personal chef 🧑‍🍳

✍️ @jacobtanswell.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
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Reposted by Matt Slater
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 2d
Last month, Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati collected her third Ballon d'Or in a row at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

By the morning, she was at her favourite cafe in Sant Pere de Ribes, her hometown 40 minutes south of Barcelona.

@laiacervello.bsky.social found out what she means to its people.
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmati and the town that made her – where her name, face and legacy is everywhere
Bonmati is a global superstar after winning the Ballon d'Or for the third time in a row, but it all started in a place called Ribes
www.nytimes.com
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 3d
🎙️15 years after their takeover of Liverpool, how should we assess Fenway Sports Group as custodians? Better than Hicks & Gillett? ✅ The Glazers? ✅ Damning them with faint praise?! ✅✅

Me, @aakinwo.bsky.social, @simonhughes1983.bsky.social, ex-LFC CEO Peter Moore & Dr Ian Graham

pod.fo/e/33c720
The Athletic FC Podcast: Inside Liverpool's 15 year journey from civil war to superclub
This week marks 15 years of FSG ownership at LiverpoolIn that time they've won two Premier Leagues and a Champions League. So, how did Liverpool become a modern superclub?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith:...
pod.fo
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Reposted by Matt Slater
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 3d
European football chiefs have introduced a new format for the men’s Champions League, starting in 2027-28, that will see the competition begin with a standalone Tuesday night match at the home of the reigning champions.

More from @mjslater.bsky.social
Champions League to adopt U.S.-style kick-off game with defending champions hosting standalone opener
The new format will mimic that of the German Bundesliga and the United States' NFL.
www.nytimes.com
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 3d
This week’s Inside Barcelona has news of a remake of 1953 rom-com Roman Holiday, feat. Joan Laporta as Audrey Hepburn & Nasser Al-Khelaifi as Gregory Peck. Our unlikely pair take a “romantic walk” to the Baths of Caracalla. Will they live happily ever after?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...
Inside Barcelona: How are they feeling about the game in Miami? Will Yamal be fit for El Clasico?
On the pitch, Barca's form and fitness issues are a concern. Off it, the last week has seen some intriguing moves...
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by Matt Slater
jeffrueter.bsky.social
Jeff Rueter @jeffrueter.bsky.social · 4d
As someone whose time freelancing for MLSsoccer was a vital step in my career progression, and someone who generally gleans insight from the observations of others:

This sucks so hard.
MLS is using generative AI to write match recaps. Writers used to get paid freelance rates to do that. Hssssss.
47 150 730
Reposted by Matt Slater
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 4d
This was no ordinary World Cup qualifier. Norway’s discomfort in hosting Israel was clear and an enormous security operation was deemed necessary in Oslo.

The prospect of peace in Gaza has moved closer in the last week, but Norway told the world again that its alliance is with Palestinian people.
Norway vs Israel was months in the planning for authorities, but politics seeped through
Officials from both teams discussed Gaza and the controversy of Saturday's game, while there were protests and a small number of arrests
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Matt Slater
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 6d
On Friday night, Oslo will stage a vital World Cup qualifier.

But it is also a political powder keg after Norway called for opponents Israel to be thrown out of the competition due to their government’s actions in Gaza.

This is how a football game took on geopolitical significance.
How Norway vs Israel became football’s most controversial fixture
Explaining why the conflict in Gaza is providing an unsettling backdrop to a crucial World Cup qualifier
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Matt Slater
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 6d
Thousands of fans used the FIFA Collect platform to purchase digital collectibles that came with the 'right to buy' (RTB) actual World Cup tickets.

Now, after values of RTBs collapsed and details of how it all works emerged, many fans feel 'ripped off.'

✍️ @henrybushnell.bsky.social
Fans bought the ‘right to buy’ 2026 World Cup tickets. Now they feel ‘ripped off’
Fans were left disgruntled as details of the connection between FIFA collectibles and World Cup game tickets emerged
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Matt Slater
theathleticfc.bsky.social
The Athletic | Football @theathleticfc.bsky.social · 5d
The latest on the Manchester United ownership:

📱 How a tweet sparked speculation
❓ What are ‘drag-along’ rights?
🧐 Why could Glazers be tempted to sell?
💷 How much could the club cost?

@lauriewhitwell.bsky.social, @dansheldon.bsky.social, @cweatherspoon.bsky.social & @mjcritchley.bsky.social
Man Utd ownership latest: Turki Al-Sheikh’s tweet, ‘drag-along’ rights and who could be interested?
Explaining how one post by a Saudi Arabian official sparked a fresh wave of speculation over the club's future
www.nytimes.com
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 7d
Reading between the lines, nobody thinks Villarreal-Barca in Miami & AC-Como in Perth can be stopped (even if the bosses wanted to). But the bosses don’t want chaos, either. The problem is there’s a broad range of outcomes between no games abroad & chaos.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Gianni Infantino warns league games abroad risk ‘free-for-all’ after La Liga, Serie A plans
Earlier this week, European football’s governing body UEFA “reluctantly” gave its approval for league games to be moved abroad.
www.nytimes.com
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 7d
I suspect some of you may have already shot the messenger but I think Gianni Infantino makes a reasonable point here. Are “winter” World Cups so bad? It’s a global game. Not fair/smart to say it has to be June/July.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Gianni Infantino says football should be open-minded over World Cup calendar
Infantino said a global game cannot only play World Cups during the northern-hemisphere summer.
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Matt Slater
mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 9d
It would be easier to list the English clubs NOT planning to upgrade/replace their stadiums. They know they must sell more tickets/pies/pints, & not just 25 times a year. Leyton Orient are the latest & some of what they want to do hasn’t been invented yet!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Leyton Orient stadium project aims to ‘get one million people through the gates every year’
Majority owner David Gandler wants the League One club to build one of the world’s “most technologically advanced” stadiums by 2031.
www.nytimes.com
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 9d
There were reports that Truss, Sunak & then Starmer were going to scrap it. All wrong.
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Reposted by Matt Slater
mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 9d
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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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 9d
Remember when the government was going to bin the independent football regulator? Well, they didn’t & this week we’ve had the formal appointments to the board & now a CEO, ex-EY partner Richard Monks (below). His regulatory know-how should combine well with David Kogan’s media rights expertise.
IFR CEO Richard Monks
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 9d
Despite my efforts to get off the John Textor train, people keep sending “he’s really blown it now” stories from Rio. They may be getting warmer but this week’s crisis is because EFH independent director Chris Mallon has quit. Job done. Ares can nominate a new one but Textor has final say.
Eagle Football Holdings directors
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 9d
It would be easier to list the English clubs NOT planning to upgrade/replace their stadiums. They know they must sell more tickets/pies/pints, & not just 25 times a year. Leyton Orient are the latest & some of what they want to do hasn’t been invented yet!

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
Leyton Orient stadium project aims to ‘get one million people through the gates every year’
Majority owner David Gandler wants the League One club to build one of the world’s “most technologically advanced” stadiums by 2031.
www.nytimes.com
3 5
Reposted by Matt Slater
the42.ie
The 42 @the42.ie · 9d
IRFU and leading unions release joint statement against proposed R360 league:
IRFU and leading unions release joint statement against proposed R360 league
The unions outline any players who join R360 would be deemed ineligible for international selection.
www.the42.ie
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 9d
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
3 5
mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 10d
A cynic may say it’s very convenient that Ceferin doesn’t want leagues to play overseas but he’ll let them do it, just this once, well, twice. But I think he’s sincere in his doubts about the idea & Uefa’s ability to stop it. But what will he do about it?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...
UEFA ‘regrettably’ approves La Liga, Serie A requests to play league games abroad
UEFA president Ceferin said the decision is not "setting a precedent" and added that "league matches should be played on home soil".
www.nytimes.com
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Reposted by Matt Slater
henrybushnell.bsky.social
Henry Bushnell @henrybushnell.bsky.social · 15d
Ticket prices for the USMNT's World Cup opener in LA:

– Category 1: $2,735
– Category 2: $1,940
– Category 3: $1,120

Prices for the 2026 World Cup final:

– Category 1: $6,730
– Category 2: $4,210
– Category 3: $2,790

More prices and info here @theathletic.com:
World Cup ticket prices revealed as lucky few win right to buy first
Breaking down the earliest information as the first batch of fans gained the chance to buy tickets for next summer
www.nytimes.com
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mjslater.bsky.social
Matt Slater @mjslater.bsky.social · 14d
In another pop at FIFA for not listening to leagues on fixture congestion, PL boss Richard Masters says domestic leagues are locked in a “struggle” with the governing body for players’ time & fans’ attention. Mentions chaos theory. Gianni Infantino hits back.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
Premier League chief Richard Masters outlines ‘struggle’ with FIFA over football calendar
Masters contrasted the growth in the number of games FIFA and UEFA now stage with a Premier League schedule that has not changed since 1994
www.nytimes.com
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