"Even now, I can guarantee that if I signed for a club in England, the headline in all the newspapers would be something negative. "If another player at Manchester United gets into trouble, he’s always ‘the next Ravel.’" Ravel Morrison talks to @dtathletic.bsky.social

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was once a brilliant prospect for Arsenal and became an accomplished centre-forward for other clubs in England and Scotland. Now he is in prison as an international drug smuggler. @dtathletic.bsky.social & Stuart James tell the story of his downfall.

Jonathan Morgan, the manager at the centre of the FA's investigation into the Maddy Cusack tragedy, subjected players to “bullying behaviour,” branded her a “psycho” and contributed to her deterioration in mental health, a hearing has been told. ✍️ @dtathletic.bsky.social

‘It won’t last until Christmas’ - that quote can look awfully silly approaching the 20th anniversary of FC United of Manchester. Special report on ‘The Rebels’, the breakaway club formed by disillusioned anti-Glazer Manchester United fans - with Eric Cantona now among them.

Kaine Wright was on West Ham United’s books and appeared for England in Neymar’s five-a-side tournament. Now he could become the first UK citizen to be extradited to Japan. @dtathletic.bsky.social reveals a bizarre story of a stolen Ming vase, a jewellery heist and wasted talent.

In 2011, Arne Slot — then a midfielder at PEC Zwolle — received the ball at kick-off… and booted it up in the air. It was a bizarre moment which baffled Dutch pundits. So why did he do it? @dtathletic.bsky.social & @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

In Scandinavia, a VAR revolution is brewing. Sweden has already rejected the system and now fans in Norway are organising walkouts and throwing fishcakes onto the pitch in protest. Could this be the start of a wider rebellion? ✍️ @dtathletic.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/622...

There aren’t many players who could persuade me to stay up until 3am to watch them remain on the bench … But Murillo is one. My eulogy to a special talent - ‘the most watchable centre-back around’ (and surely soon a full Brazil international) 👌🌳 www.nytimes.com/athletic/621...

With Newcastle United finally ending their long silverware drought it begs the question — who are the new trophyless kings? Tim Spiers and @willjeanes.bsky.social take a (not too serious) look at what the numbers tell us ⤵️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/620...

'I never had a dream to become a professional footballer, but somehow it happened and I played in World Cups and I went to Italy and England. I played all the time for passion. I’m not a fan of football, I like to play football' My interview with Hidetoshi Nakata www.nytimes.com/athletic/617...

Today’s the anniversary of The Greatest Goal Of The 90s. We’re not talking about Yeboah, Baggio, or Weah. Instead, I present to you: Gary Crosby at the City Ground, 1990. You sneaky little shithouse.

Kevin Campbell’s family have brought in specialist medical-negligence lawyers ahead of his inquest. The family’s legal team will examine alleged hospital failings before death of ex-Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Everton striker at Manchester Royal Infirmary last June. #AFC #NFFC #EFC

A well-known figure in English football arranged “cash for sex” sessions with a teenage girl he is accused of raping at his house and leaving with post-traumatic stress disorder, according to court documents. ✍️ @dtathletic.bsky.social & @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social

⚫ New contract noises to PSR saviour 🤯 ⚪ Emotional Howe call 📞 ⚫ #NUFC felt he was underpriced 🫰 🔴 #NFFC opportunism 🌳 ⚪ England awaits? 🦁 🌟 From enforced #NUFC exit to thriving at #NFFC: Elliot Anderson's year, w/ @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social @dtathletic.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/614...

Realise old-school Scottish football grounds aren’t everyone’s cup of tea … but I like to think I can win you over. Nice little road trip this week (Celtic v Bayern) and some magnificent floodlight action courtesy of Greenock Morton, Kilmarnock, Queen of the South and various others 👌 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

The City Ground, home of Nottingham Forest, to host its first England international for over 80 years. The FA has invited Senegal to be the opponents for Thomas Tuchel's team at #NFFC's 30,400-capacity stadium in June. Story with @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/611...

‘Fly high three beautiful butterflies.’ How Southport FC – a football club very much at the heart of its community – have helped the town through its darkest moments. With thanks to everyone at the club for trusting us with this story. 🦋🦋🦋 www.nytimes.com/athletic/608...

Well, this is nice. Remember this story about the scout, Brian Punter, who found Morgan Gibbs-White (aged 8) for Wolves but had never seen him play in the Premier League? Brian, who's 89, just rang me. And it turns out MGW got to hear about it (1/2) .... #NFFC

Morgan Gibbs-White is a huge part of Nottingham Forest's push for Europe. I wanted to tell his story in full for @theathleticfc.bsky.social So I've spent a few weeks finding out about the #NFFC & England player – even his first-ever scouting report (aged 8). Enjoy! www.nytimes.com/athletic/602...

Announcement of Rowetta’s departure from the Happy Mondays resembling that of a League One manager whose failed promotion campaign saw them lose the dressing room and away fans.

Lovely email waiting for me from Louis van Gaal this morning to follow up the @theathleticfc.bsky.social feature on Kath Phipps at the weekend ♥️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/597...

Inside the crisis derailing Manchester City's season: A game in training in which first-team players were outshone by youngsters is one example of the effect a long winless run is having on City

Visiting Upton Park on a matchday: 'Are West Ham at home? No, they're away at Stratford': Ahead of the Arsenal game, The Athletic went to West Ham’s old home to see what happens in the area ahead of a Premier League fixture

Lots of The Athletic FC team are now on BlueSky! 🦋 Here's our Starter Pack so you can connect with them... 👇 go.bsky.app/A5FgF6E

Barcelona's 125th anniversary: When their star striker was kidnapped for 23 days: The kidnapping of Quini is one of the most remarkable stories in Barca's 125-year history

This is on the wall of the Forest ground (I’m assuming it’s the same Steve Cooper). Either way, find it strange seeing his record mocked after the job he did for #NFFC - taking over a club that had spent 35 days bottom of the Championship - and his management CV before that too (1/2)

Without making myself too unpopular on day one of Bluesky posting, why are so many journalists ignoring the Maddy Cusack story? Our latest is here: why one of her team-mates has quit playing because she’s so disillusioned by the sport’s response to Maddy’s death. www.nytimes.com/athletic/592...

Great football weather. And a reminder that football peaked in the 1980s.