Matt Slater
@mjslater.bsky.social
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/
🔗 https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/matt-slater/
Pinned
Will Russians compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics? A look at where things stand
With the 2026 Winter Games three months away, Russia will be sending one of its smallest delegations ever because of ongoing Olympic bans.
www.nytimes.com
Russia’s representation at the 2026 Winter Olympics is likely to be the smallest it has sent to an Olympics since two Russian aristocrats, a Pole & Ukrainian flew the flag for the Russian Empire in 1900. A piece on how a sporting superpower has fallen.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Matt Slater
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
The truth about impartiality at the BBC
And the hysteria of the current "crisis"
open.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The reaction to the Panorama edit has been nothing short of hysterical. Yes the BBC has some impartiality problems. But its biggest isn't the one you think.
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
New piece from me.
open.substack.com/pub/goodalla...
As per @martynziegler.bsky.social’s scoop, new IOC boss Kirsty Coventry is not one to forget a manifesto commitment.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
IOC moving towards ban on transgender athletes in women’s Olympic events
In the past, each Olympic sport’s international federation has been allowed to set its own rules on transgender inclusion.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
As per @martynziegler.bsky.social’s scoop, new IOC boss Kirsty Coventry is not one to forget a manifesto commitment.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Reposted by Matt Slater
FIFA is selling parking spots near 2026 World Cup stadiums for between $75 & $175 per spot & per gameday.
A 2026 parking pass alone, at $75 in the group stage, costs more than a Category 3 ticket to any group match at the 2022 World Cup, which was $69.
More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social ⤵️
A 2026 parking pass alone, at $75 in the group stage, costs more than a Category 3 ticket to any group match at the 2022 World Cup, which was $69.
More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social ⤵️
FIFA’s next 2026 World Cup cash cow: Exorbitant parking prices
If you're paying to park at 2026 World Cup matches it'll cost you more than some match tickets at previous editions of the tournament
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
FIFA is selling parking spots near 2026 World Cup stadiums for between $75 & $175 per spot & per gameday.
A 2026 parking pass alone, at $75 in the group stage, costs more than a Category 3 ticket to any group match at the 2022 World Cup, which was $69.
More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social ⤵️
A 2026 parking pass alone, at $75 in the group stage, costs more than a Category 3 ticket to any group match at the 2022 World Cup, which was $69.
More from @henrybushnell.bsky.social ⤵️
Reposted by Matt Slater
The NFL’s first regular-season game in Berlin, which sees the Falcons take on the Colts, will be played on Sunday at the Olympiastadion — a stadium originally built and funded on the orders of Adolf Hitler.
Its events have shaped a profound and complicated history.
Its events have shaped a profound and complicated history.
November 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The NFL’s first regular-season game in Berlin, which sees the Falcons take on the Colts, will be played on Sunday at the Olympiastadion — a stadium originally built and funded on the orders of Adolf Hitler.
Its events have shaped a profound and complicated history.
Its events have shaped a profound and complicated history.
While Russia are banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics for a different reason (invading Ukraine) than recent Games (rampant cheating), this appeal was filed the day before the last 12 sanctions from the 2015 state-sponsored doping scandal were announced.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Russia appeals ban on skiers from Winter Olympics qualifying
The IOC is letting each sports' federation decide whether they allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under a neutral banner.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:26 PM
While Russia are banned from the 2026 Winter Olympics for a different reason (invading Ukraine) than recent Games (rampant cheating), this appeal was filed the day before the last 12 sanctions from the 2015 state-sponsored doping scandal were announced.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Aston Villa beat Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night - but the football felt secondary.
It was a night of heavily policed political protests, where tensions between pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel and far-right activists threatened to spill over.
This is the full story of what happened.
It was a night of heavily policed political protests, where tensions between pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel and far-right activists threatened to spill over.
This is the full story of what happened.
Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv: The inside story of a night of toxicity, tension and protest
Thursday's Europa League tie was overshadowed by events off the field. This is the full story of how the night played out
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Aston Villa beat Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night - but the football felt secondary.
It was a night of heavily policed political protests, where tensions between pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel and far-right activists threatened to spill over.
This is the full story of what happened.
It was a night of heavily policed political protests, where tensions between pro-Palestinian, pro-Israel and far-right activists threatened to spill over.
This is the full story of what happened.
Among the many strange (but innocent) things about this story is the revelation that David Kogan was asked in his interview if he could think of anything he’d done that might embarrass the govt, & this Labour-loving, deeply political animal said “no”!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
UK culture secretary broke rules in appointing chairman of new football regulator
David Kogan twice made donations of £1,450 to Lisa Nandy's campaign to replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in 2020.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Among the many strange (but innocent) things about this story is the revelation that David Kogan was asked in his interview if he could think of anything he’d done that might embarrass the govt, & this Labour-loving, deeply political animal said “no”!
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Ever the trailblazers, Southend Utd have been chosen for a globally significant experiment: the first real football match streamed, free of charge, on TikTok. Carlisle Utd, like most visitors to Roots Hall, will just be happy to witness history being made.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
English National League game to be streamed live on TikTok in global first
The fixture between arguably the two biggest teams outside the EFL will be streamed live, free of charge, on DAZN's TikTok channel.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Ever the trailblazers, Southend Utd have been chosen for a globally significant experiment: the first real football match streamed, free of charge, on TikTok. Carlisle Utd, like most visitors to Roots Hall, will just be happy to witness history being made.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Russia’s representation at the 2026 Winter Olympics is likely to be the smallest it has sent to an Olympics since two Russian aristocrats, a Pole & Ukrainian flew the flag for the Russian Empire in 1900. A piece on how a sporting superpower has fallen.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Will Russians compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics? A look at where things stand
With the 2026 Winter Games three months away, Russia will be sending one of its smallest delegations ever because of ongoing Olympic bans.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Russia’s representation at the 2026 Winter Olympics is likely to be the smallest it has sent to an Olympics since two Russian aristocrats, a Pole & Ukrainian flew the flag for the Russian Empire in 1900. A piece on how a sporting superpower has fallen.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Don’t phone in, it’s just for fun.
Adidas released its World Cup 2026 jerseys yesterday. 22 of them. The Athletic’s best-dressed writers pick what’s hot, what’s not.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Adidas released its World Cup 2026 jerseys yesterday. 22 of them. The Athletic’s best-dressed writers pick what’s hot, what’s not.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
World Cup 2026 kits: Our favourites of Adidas’ home jerseys, from Mexico to Germany to Argentina
Adidas have released their 'home' kits for the 2026 World Cup. So, what do our writers think?
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Don’t phone in, it’s just for fun.
Adidas released its World Cup 2026 jerseys yesterday. 22 of them. The Athletic’s best-dressed writers pick what’s hot, what’s not.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Adidas released its World Cup 2026 jerseys yesterday. 22 of them. The Athletic’s best-dressed writers pick what’s hot, what’s not.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Russia’s representation at the 2026 Winter Olympics is likely to be the smallest it has sent to an Olympics since two Russian aristocrats, a Pole & Ukrainian flew the flag for the Russian Empire in 1900. A piece on how a sporting superpower has fallen.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Will Russians compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics? A look at where things stand
With the 2026 Winter Games three months away, Russia will be sending one of its smallest delegations ever because of ongoing Olympic bans.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Russia’s representation at the 2026 Winter Olympics is likely to be the smallest it has sent to an Olympics since two Russian aristocrats, a Pole & Ukrainian flew the flag for the Russian Empire in 1900. A piece on how a sporting superpower has fallen.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Gianni Infantino will present the inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ at the draw for the 2026 World Cup, football’s world governing body has announced.
Gianni Infantino to award FIFA’s inaugural peace prize at Washington’s World Cup 2026 draw
FIFA president Gianni Infantino will present the inaugural award at next month's World Cup draw in Washington DC.
www.nytimes.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Gianni Infantino will present the inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ at the draw for the 2026 World Cup, football’s world governing body has announced.
Reposted by Matt Slater
Jeff Bezos’ stake in Amazon is up almost $30 billion since Friday.
Jeff Bezos Becomes $10 Billion Richer As Amazon’s OpenAI Deal Boosts Stock
Jeff Bezos’ stake in Amazon is up almost $30 billion since Friday.
www.forbes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Jeff Bezos’ stake in Amazon is up almost $30 billion since Friday.
🎙️What in the world of Weatherspoon’s is going on at Wolves? Coaching chaos, bad buys, creaking stadium, no wins. They’re drifting. Fosun says they’re not for sale…the market isn’t so sure.
@aakinwo.bsky.social @davidornstein.yopro20.com & Tim Spiers
pod.fo/e/34ad1b
@aakinwo.bsky.social @davidornstein.yopro20.com & Tim Spiers
pod.fo/e/34ad1b
The Athletic FC Podcast: Can anyone save Wolves?
Wolves have sacked manager Vitor Pereira.With zero wins in the league, and just two points, all signs lead to relegation.So, can anyone save them?Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: David Ornstein, Matt Slat...
pod.fo
November 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
🎙️What in the world of Weatherspoon’s is going on at Wolves? Coaching chaos, bad buys, creaking stadium, no wins. They’re drifting. Fosun says they’re not for sale…the market isn’t so sure.
@aakinwo.bsky.social @davidornstein.yopro20.com & Tim Spiers
pod.fo/e/34ad1b
@aakinwo.bsky.social @davidornstein.yopro20.com & Tim Spiers
pod.fo/e/34ad1b
Reposted by Matt Slater
Conmebol would consider hosting the Copa Libertadores final outside of South America to help grow the competition globally.
Full story from @dansheldon.bsky.social ⬇️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Full story from @dansheldon.bsky.social ⬇️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
November 4, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Conmebol would consider hosting the Copa Libertadores final outside of South America to help grow the competition globally.
Full story from @dansheldon.bsky.social ⬇️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Full story from @dansheldon.bsky.social ⬇️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Arise Sir David.
The wait is finally over: Beckham, the former England captain and now joint owner of Inter Miami, has been formally knighted at Windsor Castle.
But what does the honour actually entail? And what does it mean?
📝 @dtathletic.bsky.social
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
The wait is finally over: Beckham, the former England captain and now joint owner of Inter Miami, has been formally knighted at Windsor Castle.
But what does the honour actually entail? And what does it mean?
📝 @dtathletic.bsky.social
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
November 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Arise Sir David.
The wait is finally over: Beckham, the former England captain and now joint owner of Inter Miami, has been formally knighted at Windsor Castle.
But what does the honour actually entail? And what does it mean?
📝 @dtathletic.bsky.social
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
The wait is finally over: Beckham, the former England captain and now joint owner of Inter Miami, has been formally knighted at Windsor Castle.
But what does the honour actually entail? And what does it mean?
📝 @dtathletic.bsky.social
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
Reposted by Matt Slater
The good news is Gianni Infantino and FIFA will come riding to the rescue — This is the venue for 2026 World Cup draw on Dec 5. Comes after FIFA also took up office space in Trump Tower.
October 31, 2025 at 6:16 PM
The good news is Gianni Infantino and FIFA will come riding to the rescue — This is the venue for 2026 World Cup draw on Dec 5. Comes after FIFA also took up office space in Trump Tower.
The man who says he invented the Champions League’s new format - what he calls the “pots” format but has become known as the “Swiss model” - is suing UEFA for €20m because he claims they stole it. UEFA denies it but it’s been that kind of week for the governing body.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
UEFA facing £17.5m claim for alleged theft of new Champions League format
Europe's premier club competition switched to a 36-team 'league phase' last season
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
The man who says he invented the Champions League’s new format - what he calls the “pots” format but has become known as the “Swiss model” - is suing UEFA for €20m because he claims they stole it. UEFA denies it but it’s been that kind of week for the governing body.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Matt Slater
It is now 1,000 days since Manchester City were charged by the Premier League.
November 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM
It is now 1,000 days since Manchester City were charged by the Premier League.
Reposted by Matt Slater
UEFA is facing a claim for more than €20million (£17.5million) after Chilean sports consultancy MatchVision filed a lawsuit against the governing body for its alleged theft of the league-phase format.
More from @mjslater.bsky.social
More from @mjslater.bsky.social
UEFA facing £17.5m claim for alleged theft of new Champions League format
The governing body has not yet been formally notified of the action but, once it is, will have 20 business days to respond.
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:58 PM
UEFA is facing a claim for more than €20million (£17.5million) after Chilean sports consultancy MatchVision filed a lawsuit against the governing body for its alleged theft of the league-phase format.
More from @mjslater.bsky.social
More from @mjslater.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt Slater
The Carabao Cup quarter-final tie between Arsenal and Crystal Palace has created a scheduling headache.
There is little free space in the calendar — leaving Christmas Eve or the prospect of Palace playing four games in eight days as potential solutions.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
There is little free space in the calendar — leaving Christmas Eve or the prospect of Palace playing four games in eight days as potential solutions.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
October 30, 2025 at 3:16 PM
The Carabao Cup quarter-final tie between Arsenal and Crystal Palace has created a scheduling headache.
There is little free space in the calendar — leaving Christmas Eve or the prospect of Palace playing four games in eight days as potential solutions.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
There is little free space in the calendar — leaving Christmas Eve or the prospect of Palace playing four games in eight days as potential solutions.
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey says she has leaned on artificial intelligence (AI) service ChatGPT to help inspire her tactics in the NWSL this season.
More from @colinmillar.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
More from @colinmillar.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
October 31, 2025 at 10:16 AM
Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey says she has leaned on artificial intelligence (AI) service ChatGPT to help inspire her tactics in the NWSL this season.
More from @colinmillar.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
More from @colinmillar.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Matt Slater
Lucas Paqueta has avoided a fine after breaching the Football Association’s rules over his co-operation with an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing.
More from @alirampling.bsky.social and @tburrows16.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
More from @alirampling.bsky.social and @tburrows16.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
October 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Lucas Paqueta has avoided a fine after breaching the Football Association’s rules over his co-operation with an investigation into allegations of spot-fixing.
More from @alirampling.bsky.social and @tburrows16.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...
More from @alirampling.bsky.social and @tburrows16.bsky.social ⤵️
🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...