Jacob Whitehead
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jacobwhitehead.bsky.social
Jacob Whitehead
@jacobwhitehead.bsky.social
✍️ Reporter for @theathleticfc.bsky.social.

Investigations with a bit of cycling and #NUFC. Read books, climb hills, make soup. 📚🏔️🥣
Pinned
Kenya produces the world's best runners — but their female athletes face a femicide crisis.

Since 2021, four elite women have been killed by their partners. Many others face violence.

Travelled to Iten — these athletes' stories deserve to be heard.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/591...
Greek football has been in the doldrums since their miraculous Euro 2004 victory.

Went to Athens to discover how their rebirth, ‘Anagennisi’, is taking place, via futures teams, a refocus on technical ability, and the Battle of Thermopylae…

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Inside Greek football’s rebirth: from Euro 2004 to the Battle of Thermopylae
An ambitious new plans for reforming football will blend a creative and technical approach with ideas drawn from national mythology
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Reposted by Jacob Whitehead
British climber Oscar Onley has signed for INEOS Grenadiers in one of the biggest transfers of the cycling offseason so far.

📝 @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social

🔗 theathletic.com/6917014/?sou...
December 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Oscar Onley signs for INEOS.

The British team have the GC leader they’ve been searching for - and complete their most significant offseason revamp in years.

Analysis:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Oscar Onley signs for INEOS Grenadiers as British team revamp Grand Tour line-up
Onley, who impressed in finishing a surprise fourth in the Tour de France last year, will join the British squad on a long-term deal.
www.nytimes.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:06 AM
New: The handling of Emi Martinez's head knock has been criticised by brain injury charity Headway.

#AVFC GK stayed on after long assessment, with him & teammates appearing to try to sway medics.

Headway reiterates call for temporary concussion subs.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...
Brain injury charity Headway criticise handling of apparent Emiliano Martinez head knock
Martinez appeared groggy and in visible pain following a clash with Matty Cash.
www.nytimes.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Pretty fascinating Vuelta a Espana route.

Granada finish at the Alhambra is an Iberian Montmartre, a ridiculous amount of climbing, and some early GC shake-ups...

But can't shake the feeling that a southern route and the heat is a worrying combo.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
2026 Vuelta a Espana route: No Madrid for first time in five years, Monaco time-trial start
The race will take place from August 22 to September 13, featuring seven major summit finishes and 58,000m of climbing.
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Cycling to charge for mountain-top finishes? Its supporters call it "boldness" — but sometimes boldness is keeping things the way they are.

Witness the World Cup ticket price furore? Cycling needs to celebrate its uniqueness, not escape it.

Column ⬇️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Should cycling start charging fans for access to iconic climbs and race finishes?
Cycling enjoys an accessibility that stands it apart from nearly every other sport. But for how long?
www.nytimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:25 AM
Motions officially filed in Swiss parliament today to debate UEFA's tax status — linked to West Bank-based Israeli clubs continuing to play in European competition.

First reported on the planned action earlier this month, more details below ⬇️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
UEFA held meetings with pro-Palestinian campaign over possible Israel suspension after ceasefire
UEFA has been under pressure to call a vote on Israel’s ongoing participation in European football.
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:20 PM
When Andres Iniesta was a boy, he remembers watching Miguel Indurain churn through mountain time-trials.

The football legend's childhood glee was apparent as he launched the NSN Cycling Team in Barcelona — the rebranded Israel-Premier Tech.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta launches NSN Cycling Team: ‘We can do beautiful things’
Iniesta's company partnered with Swiss investment firm Stoneweg to take over the former Israel-Premier Tech team in November.
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Exclusive: Tony Bloom syndicate does bet on Premier League matches (not #BHAFC games), but Bloom removes his stake to meet FA rules.

Plus, Scottish FA request court documents to investigate any potential player involvement.

Case explained and latest ⬇️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Tony Bloom, his £600m syndicate and how it is allowed to bet on the Premier League
Why is Brighton & Hove Albion's owner embroiled in a legal battle with a former associate and what could the implications be?
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Always a sense of anticipation around the Giro d’Italia.

The season’s first Grand Tour, not as backloaded as usual, fun stages in Bulgaria, up Blockhaus, and to Piani di Pezze. Women to tackle Colle delle Finestre for the first time.

Route analysis ⬇️⬇️

www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
2026 Giro d’Italia route analysis – Women tackle Finestre for first time, men head from Bulgaria to Rome
Analysis of the 2026 routes which will once again feature some of professional cycling's most storied roads
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Exclusive: UEFA executives have held meetings with organisers of pro-Palestinian campaign Game Over Israel since October's ceasefire.

Meetings discussed the potential circumstances which could lead to a ban of Israel from international competition.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
UEFA held meetings with pro-Palestinian campaign over possible Israel suspension after ceasefire
UEFA has been under pressure to call a vote on Israel’s ongoing participation in European football.
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:03 AM
At 18 years old, Konstantinos Karetsas is the shining pearl of Greek football, and already one of Europe's top prospects.

Interviewed the winger about the joy of the assist, the transfer plan mapped out with his Dad, and the Greek-Belgian battle for him.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
Konstantinos Karetsas, the winger adored by Europe’s largest clubs: ‘You see he is a special one, hey?’
Karetsas spoke to The Athletic for the first in-depth interview of his career
www.nytimes.com
December 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Two goals for Malick Thiaw on Saturday, and though his persona is understated, it still shouldn’t have taken that for him to win his plaudits.

An outstanding start at #NUFC - and already one of the best CBs in the Premier League.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
December 1, 2025 at 8:06 AM
Interviewed Kostas Tsimikas in Athens during the international break.

He was incredibly reflective on the capricious life of footballers, leaving Liverpool for Roma, and his friend Diogo Jota, tattooed on his left wrist.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Kostas Tsimikas on leaving Liverpool, life at Roma, and ‘accepting sadness’ in football
Kostas Tsimikas looks back on his time at Liverpool, reflects on his friend Diogo Jota, and compares Klopp, Slot and Gasperini
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:37 AM
#EFC 1-4 #NUFC

Given the context to Newcastle's away form, probably their most impressive performance of the season.

Eddie Howe's six changes paid off. More outstanding work from Thiaw, Miley justifiably pushing for more minutes, and really encouraging from Elanga.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Everton 1 Newcastle 4: How big is first away win? Has Miley played himself into Howe’s XI?
Eddie Howe's side had not won away in the Premier League for nine games — a record dating back to April — before this convincing victory
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Reposted by Jacob Whitehead
⚫ MASSIVE away win 🙌
⚪ 2nd goal critical (via Pickford...) 👀
⚫ Awesome Thiaw at the double ⚽⚽
⚪ Howe's changes excel 🤩
⚫ Miley's class 😍
⚪ Transformative win? 🔮

📝 #EFC 1-4 #NUFC analysis, w/ @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social: #EVENEW www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...
Everton 1 Newcastle 4 – How big is first away win? Has Miley played himself into Howe’s XI?
Eddie Howe's side had not won away in the Premier League for nine games, a record dating back to April, before this convincing victory
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:29 PM
“Legacy is not on his mind as he seeks to make his own history.” Can Tadej Pogacar go on to eclipse Eddy Merckx?

Really glad to run an excerpt from Andy McGrath’s wonderful Pogi biography - out now.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...
‘I want to be the best in history’: Can Tadej Pogacar go on to eclipse Eddy Merckx?
An exclusive extract from Andy McGrath's new book, Tadej Pogačar: Unstoppable
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:37 AM
After 17,900km, Sofiane Sehili was just 200km away from his goal - the Trans-Eurasian cycling world record.

He had one day remaining to reach Vladivostok. He finished it in a Russian prison.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
‘I could not go backwards’: The ultracyclist whose world record attempt ended in a Russian prison
After riding for 17,900km, Sofiane Sehili chose to illegally cross from China to Russia – it was a decision he came to regret
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Israel-Premier Tech’s rebrand is now complete - they are NSN Cycling Team.

Spanish-based, Swiss-registered, the title sponsors were founded by Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...
Israel Premier-Tech rebrands to NSN Cycling Team for 2026
The cycling team were the subject of many pro-Palestine protests during the 2025 season, particularly during the Vuelta a Espana
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Spoke to Jamal Khashoggi's widow in January about the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. She called on FIFA to commemorate his memory throughout the tournament.

Ahead of next summer, Donald Trump's verdict on Khashoggi's murder? "Things happen."

www.nytimes.com/athletic/606...
Jamal Khashoggi’s widow says FIFA should commemorate him at Saudi Arabia World Cup
'They could name a stand in a stadium after him, or print his picture on tickets for the public. His sacrifice should be valued'
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Cycling’s autumn has been dominated by its relationship with nation states.

Wrote about the UAE’s activities in Sudan, Israel-Premier Tech’s rebrand, and Jayco-AlUla’s difficulties.

Something needs to change, but solutions are hard to see.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
How an autumn dominated by geopolitics has highlighted cycling’s uneasy relationship with nation states
With teams lacking significant broadcast revenues, WorldTour squads rely on commercialising anything they can with the highest bidder
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Wout van Aert is one of cycling’s superstars; his win over Montmartre one of the year’s top moments.

We spoke about post-injury doubts, managing his own demanding nature, and his big offseason adventure in the USA.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Wout van Aert interview: Dropping Tadej Pogacar, recovering from injury and what cycling can learn from the NBA
The Belgian star on a season of recovery and redemption: 'I just wanted to show that I’m still there, that I can be among the best riders'
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Reposted by Jacob Whitehead
Amid all the long throws and set pieces that have dominated the Premier League season, plenty of fans have been expressing their displeasure at the way their team have been playing.

@jacobwhitehead.bsky.social went to three matches in two days to try to find out what they really want to see.
What are supporters really seeking from their team: style, substance or something else?
Even fans of top-half clubs have been expressing dissatisfaction at the way their teams have been playing so far this season
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Went on a mini roadtrip around the Premier League this weekend. Are teams' style making us miserable? Or are we really in search of something else?

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
What are supporters really seeking from their team: style, substance or something else?
Even fans of top-half clubs have been expressing dissatisfaction at the way their teams have been playing so far this season
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Reposted by Jacob Whitehead
Very chuffed that
@podonthetyne.bsky.social
has been nominated for club podcast of the year alongside some truly brilliant shows.

Huge thanks to the FSA for this honour & to our lovely listeners for their amazing support for our independent pod. #NUFC ❤️

thefsa.org.uk/news/fsa-awa...
FSA Awards 2025 - vote now! - Football Supporters' Association
We are pleased to announce the shortlists for the 2025 Football Supporters’ Association Awards – voting is open now and fans can back their favourites here. 91 candidates are battling it out across 16...
thefsa.org.uk
November 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM