Miguel Delaney
@migueldelaney.bsky.social
đ€ 36229
đ„ 1229
đ 5302
Chief football writer at the Independent. Author of 'States of Play'
pinned post!
âStates of Playâ is out today in paperback, featuring new material and a brand new chapter on football in the age of autocracy and billionaires, with focus on Gianni Infantinoâs relationship with Donald Trump and the new Manchester United.
geni.us/StatesOfPlay
5 months ago
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reposted by
Miguel Delaney
Helen Jerome
5 days ago
đ My đ non-fiction book of 2025 is
@migueldelaney.bsky.social
âs âStates of Playâ đ And my đ novel of 2025 is Yael Van Der Woudenâs âThe Safe Keepâ
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I find I cannot get into this new Amadeus simply because it's not F Murray Abraham.
6 days ago
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Football Supporters Europe: "Following significant pressure from supporters, FIFA has partially relented on its ticket price structuring. This shows that FIFAâs ticketing policy is not set in stone, was decided in a rush, and without proper consultation"
bsky.app/profile/migu...
add a skeleton here at some point
12 days ago
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Fifa starts climbdown on World Cup tickets, as $60 tier introduced - fan groups weren't consulted, though, and feel it's too low - complaints of "PR spin" as less than 2% of tickets affected with gap made up by waterbreak ads - plans to push for more
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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Fifa starts World Cup ticket climbdown after uproar over ticket prices
Fifa were accused of âbetrayalâ are ticket prices for next summerâs World Cup rose to extortionate prices
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-ticket-prices-b2885787.html
12 days ago
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Fifa climbdown was announced without any consultation with fan groups, who welcome some change but still feel it's way too low With England, there are 610 "top cappers" How do you say one pays ÂŁ360 and the other pays ÂŁ5200?
12 days ago
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This is also all the more important amid the number of counterarguments going on about how "nothing will change", "this is just supply and demand, get used to it" Supporter mobilisation works
bsky.app/profile/migu...
add a skeleton here at some point
12 days ago
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This actually quite a big climbdown - even if it's still a limited number of tickets available "In total, 50% of each PMA allocation will fall within the most affordable range, namely Supporter Value Tier (40%) and the Supporter Entry Tier (10%)."
bsky.app/profile/did:...
add a skeleton here at some point
12 days ago
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A Fifa climbdown? A new cheaper ticket tier has been introduced for qualified teams
12 days ago
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Manchester United prepared to move on Semenyo in January, as Amorim admires him for tactical versatility, and how he can work as an attacking wing-back
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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Manchester United weigh up January move for highly rated Premier League target
Ruben Amorim is said to admire the highly rated 25-year-oldâs versatility
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/man-utd-antoine-semenyo-bournemouth-ruben-amorim-b2885587.html
12 days ago
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The usually protected Accessibility tickets are appearing on Fifa's own 2026 resale site at more than SIX times face value As the Disability and Inclusion Fan Network of FSE write to Infantino asking does he still "feel disabled" as he claimed in Qatar
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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Fifa accused of excluding disabled fans from 2026 World Cup with âunfair taxâ
Extortionate ticket prices, and having to pay for a companion, have been described as âan unfair taxâ by a football supportersâ group
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2026-disabled-tickets-prices-fifa-infantino-b2885602.html
12 days ago
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A
@liberopodcast.bsky.social
with
@jackpittbrooke.bsky.social
and
@jonawils.bsky.social
on the title race, "sleeping on City", and why Newcastle haven't done a City (it's not just PSR) Also CLASSIC debate on this claim Blackstock Road is one of the "coolest streets in the world"
pod.fo/e/367494
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Libero: Libero 079 | What's Stopping Newcastle Becoming 'The New Manchester City'?
Manchester City racked up another Premier League win this weekend, beating Crystal Palace 3-0 with another display of their new direct, powerful individualistic style. Their change of direction thi...
https://pod.fo/e/367494
12 days ago
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They should have been allowed activate a "next goal wins" option at 4-4.
12 days ago
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Giroud channelling Wooderson in Dazed and Confused here. He ain't moving quickly for nobody.
13 days ago
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And there are options open to the FA and other federations a joint statement from the 10-15 biggest would be unprecedented dissent for Infantino and rattle him If not, why not use Fifa forward money to subsidise fan tickets
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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The FA has one move to show itâs not spineless in World Cup ticket crisis
Comment: Fifaâs extortionate prices have led to accusations of âbetrayalâ and Miguel Delaney argues that The FA must flex its power now to save fans and potentially enhance Englandâs chances on the pi...
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2026-ticket-prices-how-much-fifa-b2884905.html
13 days ago
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Football officials insist that in the executive president world of Fifa/Uefa you have to keep your counsel to keep influence for fear of ostracisation but what's the point of that if you have no voice or influence when it matters - like with ticket prices
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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The FA has one move to show itâs not spineless in World Cup ticket crisis
Comment: Fifaâs extortionate prices have led to accusations of âbetrayalâ and Miguel Delaney argues that The FA must flex its power now to save fans and potentially enhance Englandâs chances on the pi...
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2026-ticket-prices-how-much-fifa-b2884905.html
13 days ago
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Football's leaders gather in Doha this week It's time for the major federations - like the FA - to finally show a spine and use their immense power to take joint action on World Cup prices Anything else would be a political failure of their constituents
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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The FA has one move to show itâs not spineless in World Cup ticket crisis
Comment: Fifaâs extortionate prices have led to accusations of âbetrayalâ and Miguel Delaney argues that The FA must flex its power now to save fans and potentially enhance Englandâs chances on the pi...
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2026-ticket-prices-how-much-fifa-b2884905.html
13 days ago
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In my Monday newsletter: - why Arsenal feel they've had a performance wobble - what's actually happening with Maresca - the secret mindset of the title race - the case for Aston Villa Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/miguel-delaney-inside-football-newsletter-email-b2801522.html
13 days ago
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Arsenal didn't just sit off there. They were very panicky around their own box again, like against Villa.
14 days ago
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There's half an hour left and Arsenal are sort of snatching at half-chances. It's so different to even two weeks against Spurs and Bayern.
14 days ago
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In inexplicably talking about his worst 48 hours at the club, Maresca has turned a routine Palmer-led win into 48 hours of drama and intrigue around Chelsea
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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How Enzo Maresca suddenly plunged Chelsea into chaos â and what could come next
Chelsea 2-0 Everton: Maresca claimed he had been through the âworst 48 hoursâ since taking charge and said âso many peopleâ - not including the fans - âdidnât support usâ
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/enzo-maresca-chelsea-comments-premier-league-malo-gusto-b2883960.html
15 days ago
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Moyes on the defeat: "Maybe a billion-pound difference, possibly."
15 days ago
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Maresca makes an enigmatic comment about this being his worst 48 hours at the club due to "a lack of support" from "so many people", but doesn't really clarify.
15 days ago
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Video piece on World Cup tickets One of the most baffling arguments I've found in this is people just saying "this is supply and demand" or pointing to US prices... when the response should surely be "why not try and get Fifa to make this better?"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGIr...
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Miguel Delaney inside football Fifa tickets
YouTube video by Independent Sport
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGIrzYxoRbw
15 days ago
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2-0 Chelsea, Gusto, just when Everton were putting Chelsea under pressure.
15 days ago
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Cole Palmer scores for Chelsea.
15 days ago
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The World Cup tickets story sums up two major issues with modern football - one is the tension over whether it's just some commodity to be sold... or actually has more importance - how football power works: why aren't the FA speaking out for fans?
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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Fans need the FA to speak up and take on Fifaâs rip-off World Cup
With ticket prices for next summerâs World Cup five times higher than 2022, governing bodies have a duty of care to their supporters and must show that football doesnât accept this âbetrayalâ, writes ...
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-ticket-prices-fifa-b2883930.html
15 days ago
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Another element aggravating me about this discussion is the number of people with these "well, actually" justifications that treat football solely as if it is an entertainment commodity, which it isn't, and it's not Fifa's mission to treat it as such
bsky.app/profile/migu...
add a skeleton here at some point
16 days ago
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Interview with Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane, as he talks about the obsessive amount of work he does in prep, "the fire" for coaching and how the one match he missed not playing in was Ireland's win over Hungary
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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Conor Hourihane: âThereâs no right or wrong way to playâ
The Barnsley boss tells Miguel Delaney about the changing nature of managing and the emotional toll of watching the Republic of Ireland push for World Cup 2026 qualification
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/conor-hourihane-barnsley-manager-republic-of-ireland-b2882767.html
16 days ago
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In my Friday newsletter: how the Liverpool hierarchy work, how theyâre seen, how thereâs more to this than Slot
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
16 days ago
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Many national associations are furious about World Cup ticket prices, with some already five times higher than Qatar, as Football Supporters Europe calls for immediate halt with @jbraidwo
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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Fifa accused of âbetrayalâ as England fans face ÂŁ5,000 bill for World Cup tickets
Football Supporters Europe has called for an âimmediate haltâ to ticket sales after it was found that prices are five times higher than the last World Cup
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-tickets-prices-england-fa-fifa-b2882643.html
17 days ago
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Letting third-place teams through threatens to make the World Cup more like this CL, with more games of lower stakes But there's an easy solution: have the eight best group winners go straight through to the last 16, with a play-off round in between
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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The World Cupâs magic is at risk and Fifa must consider this quick fix
The final round of group fixtures in Qatar produced immense drama, but with third-place qualifiers, USA, Canada and Mexico risks an underwhelming finale, but Miguel Delaney considers a simple solution
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2026-format-group-stage-champions-league-b2881874.html
18 days ago
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reposted by
Miguel Delaney
The programme is being described by host city sources as âworst deal in World Cup historyâ - which Trump is a figurehead of Fifa sources say itâs new programme and theyâre working through individual nuances
bsky.app/profile/migu...
add a skeleton here at some point
18 days ago
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reposted by
Miguel Delaney
US host cities facing at least $250m shortfall due to new Fifa deal Fifa take virtually all WC revenue, and costs supposed to be covered by sponsors But cities canât do big deals as, eg, convenience store Wawa cuts across Fifa deal with McDonaldâs
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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2026 World Cup to cost US host cities upwards of $250m after âworst deal in historyâ
The United States federal government may be forced to cover the shortfall caused by a restrictive deal with Fifa
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-2026-us-cities-donald-trump-sponsors-deal-cost-b2881267.html
19 days ago
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The programme is being described by host city sources as âworst deal in World Cup historyâ - which Trump is a figurehead of Fifa sources say itâs new programme and theyâre working through individual nuances
bsky.app/profile/migu...
add a skeleton here at some point
18 days ago
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US host cities facing at least $250m shortfall due to new Fifa deal Fifa take virtually all WC revenue, and costs supposed to be covered by sponsors But cities canât do big deals as, eg, convenience store Wawa cuts across Fifa deal with McDonaldâs
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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2026 World Cup to cost US host cities upwards of $250m after âworst deal in historyâ
The United States federal government may be forced to cover the shortfall caused by a restrictive deal with Fifa
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fifa-world-cup-2026-us-cities-donald-trump-sponsors-deal-cost-b2881267.html
19 days ago
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And a video piece on Salah
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTzy...
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This is why Liverpool should have let Salah go
YouTube video by Independent Sport
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTzyCteA68g
19 days ago
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New
@liberopodcast.bsky.social
with me,
@brewin.bsky.social
and
@jonawils.bsky.social
on the Salah situation and the bigger issue of big stars facing first issues
pod.fo/e/3629f7
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Libero: Libero 077 | Mo Salah, Player Power And Undignified Exits
"I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now Iâm sitting on the bench and I donât know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus." These were ...
https://pod.fo/e/3629f7
19 days ago
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For all the complications to this story, the Salah situation comes down to a fairly simple equation We know what he is thinking - but what about the Liverpool hierarchy? There is aggravation about how this has been done but Slot is a pragmatist
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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The true meaning behind Mohamed Salahâs rant and how Liverpool can fix him
Mohamed Salah has voiced his anger at Liverpoolâs treatment of him, with Arne Slot removing him from the Champions League squad, but special treatment could address some of the Egypt internationalâs c...
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mohamed-salah-liverpool-arne-slot-leave-inter-milan-b2880464.html
19 days ago
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It was argued that the new Liverpool/old Ferguson "smart" move would have been to let Salah go in the summer Situations like this are why A great star, a distinctive personality, and a classic case of a star struggling with a new reality
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
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Mohamed Salahâs struggle shows why no player is untouchable
The latest Inside Football newsletter from Miguel Delaney examines Mohamed Salahâs changed status at Liverpool, how recent struggles have tested his place and motivation, and why even the clubâs top s...
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/mo-salah-liverpool-slot-untouchable-b2880391.html
20 days ago
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In my newsletter today: - the Salah crisis is basically why Ferguson took hard decisions on stars - specifically to prevent situations like this Also: - the huge Qs about Salah's motivation - Arsenal's wobble - Villa's chances Sign up here:
www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...
loading . . .
Join the Miguel Delaney: Inside Football newsletter
Packed with snippets of behind-the-scenes gossip and updates from Miguel Delaney's reporting trips, subscribers will have a backstage pass as he covers the 2025/2026 season, the 2026 World Cup and mor...
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/miguel-delaney-inside-football-newsletter-email-b2801522.html
20 days ago
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Perhaps, after his new prize, Trump can be an intermediary between Salah and Liverpool
21 days ago
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All times are eastern time - sorry, been a long 48 hours
22 days ago
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England in Dallas, Boston and New Jersey
22 days ago
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Scaloni: âEvery day you are a world champion you feel youngerâ
22 days ago
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Irish times as far as I can figure out (this could be wrong!) 4am on a Friday 5pm on a Thursday 3am on a Friday
22 days ago
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Ireland and the UK nations that have been drawn with hosts and Brazil look like they've lost out on kick-off times due to need for them to be on local prime time taking precedence.
22 days ago
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Scotland games 13 June, 9pm v Haiti, Boston 19 June, 6pm v Morocco, Boston 24 June, 6pm v Brazil, Miami All local times
22 days ago
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Northern Ireland/Wales games if they get there: 12 June, 3pm v Canada, Toronto 18 June, 3pm v Switzerland, LA 24 June, 3pm v Qatar, Seattle
22 days ago
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Ireland's potential games: 11 June, 10pm, v Korea in Guadalajara 18 June, 12pm v South Africa in Atlanta 24 June, 9pm, v Mexico in Mexico City (all local times)
22 days ago
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Ireland will play Mexico in the Azteca in the final group match if they get there.
22 days ago
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