Simon Hughes
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social
Senior football writer at The Athletic. Author of Chasing Salah - out now
Oscar Pistorius murdered Reeva Steenkamp. He was released on parole last year. He’s living in Pretoria. I went looking for him. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
The vanishing of Oscar Pistorius
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Oscar Pistorius murdered Reeva Steenkamp. He was released on parole last year. He’s living in Pretoria. I went looking for him. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...
One thing that Liverpool as a city has never done brilliantly is ask itself what does football, culture and living here mean? With Airbnb wrapping itself around Anfield and The Winslow in danger of closing in Walton, the times they are a-changin'. www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
Liverpool, Everton and the struggle to retain a sense of community
www.nytimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 6:55 AM
One thing that Liverpool as a city has never done brilliantly is ask itself what does football, culture and living here mean? With Airbnb wrapping itself around Anfield and The Winslow in danger of closing in Walton, the times they are a-changin'. www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
The Hillsborough Law is just about the best thing to happen to Britain in years. Hope everyone feels the same way when it reaches the House of Lords, a setting that will test whether the establishment really wants change. www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
The Hillsborough Law really matters - and not just to Liverpool
www.nytimes.com
September 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
The Hillsborough Law is just about the best thing to happen to Britain in years. Hope everyone feels the same way when it reaches the House of Lords, a setting that will test whether the establishment really wants change. www.nytimes.com/athletic/663...
FSG over and #out?
Is this the end of #FSGOut?
The movement to oust Liverpool's owners has gone quiet but it feels unlikely to ever go away entirely
www.nytimes.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM
FSG over and #out?
Reposted by Simon Hughes
A song saluting Federico Chiesa’s decision to leave Juventus for Liverpool has become a staple of the Anfield songbook.
To many, it is a harmless celebration of a cult hero.
To others, it risks reopening the wounds caused at Heysel.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social on a potentially divisive chant.
To many, it is a harmless celebration of a cult hero.
To others, it risks reopening the wounds caused at Heysel.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social on a potentially divisive chant.
Why the Federico Chiesa chant is making some Liverpool fans very uncomfortable
However well-intentioned, the song used to serenade Liverpool's Italian international risks reopening old emotional wounds
www.nytimes.com
August 19, 2025 at 12:19 PM
A song saluting Federico Chiesa’s decision to leave Juventus for Liverpool has become a staple of the Anfield songbook.
To many, it is a harmless celebration of a cult hero.
To others, it risks reopening the wounds caused at Heysel.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social on a potentially divisive chant.
To many, it is a harmless celebration of a cult hero.
To others, it risks reopening the wounds caused at Heysel.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social on a potentially divisive chant.
Reposted by Simon Hughes
The Premier League had a new redistribution deal rejected by the English Football League (EFL) shortly before the bill that ushered in a regulator was passed.
Full story from @simonhughes1983.bsky.social ⬇️
Full story from @simonhughes1983.bsky.social ⬇️
Premier League redistribution deal rejected by EFL before football governance bill passed
The offer, delivered with the support of the Premier League CEO Richard Masters, was made in April.
www.nytimes.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The Premier League had a new redistribution deal rejected by the English Football League (EFL) shortly before the bill that ushered in a regulator was passed.
Full story from @simonhughes1983.bsky.social ⬇️
Full story from @simonhughes1983.bsky.social ⬇️
Reposted by Simon Hughes
The summer re-organisation at Tottenham is well underway. My story on the new set-up and why they're not looking for a new chief football officer.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
Tottenham Hotspur and another summer of change at the top. Is there more to come?
We are not even in July yet and it has already been a summer of profound change at Tottenham Hotspur - and Paratici could still be next in
www.nytimes.com
June 25, 2025 at 7:35 AM
The summer re-organisation at Tottenham is well underway. My story on the new set-up and why they're not looking for a new chief football officer.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...
Reposted by Simon Hughes
Football and politics: totally intertwined, as illustrated on Wed when Juventus players stood awkwardly in the Oval Office as President Trump discussed Israel, Iran and threat of war.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was there too of course, in the role of nodding dog
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was there too of course, in the role of nodding dog
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Donald Trump stunt proves FIFA is happy to play politics when it suits
FIFA's insistence that politics and football do not mix feels hypocritical. To use Trump’s phrase, football has largely sold out
www.nytimes.com
June 20, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Football and politics: totally intertwined, as illustrated on Wed when Juventus players stood awkwardly in the Oval Office as President Trump discussed Israel, Iran and threat of war.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was there too of course, in the role of nodding dog
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Fifa president Gianni Infantino was there too of course, in the role of nodding dog
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Reposted by Simon Hughes
Easy start for Xabi Alonso - he needs to build new team with all-new back 4, sort his coaching staff, manage the politics, lift the fans, and win the Club World Cup...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Xabi Alonso’s awkward start at Real Madrid: New hope, little time, big pressure
The 43-year-old is taking on one of football's most demanding jobs off the back of the Spanish giants' disappointing European season
www.nytimes.com
June 18, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Easy start for Xabi Alonso - he needs to build new team with all-new back 4, sort his coaching staff, manage the politics, lift the fans, and win the Club World Cup...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Reposted by Simon Hughes
Exclusive
FIFA has decided not to show videos or signage which explicitly mention challenging racism or discrimination in US Club World Cup venues
FIFA point to statutes - "politically neutral" - when asked if US political climate played part in decision
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
FIFA has decided not to show videos or signage which explicitly mention challenging racism or discrimination in US Club World Cup venues
FIFA point to statutes - "politically neutral" - when asked if US political climate played part in decision
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
FIFA drops anti-racism, anti-discrimination messages for Club World Cup
The messaging has not been visible during the opening round of fixtures at the tournament in stadiums or on social media platforms.
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Exclusive
FIFA has decided not to show videos or signage which explicitly mention challenging racism or discrimination in US Club World Cup venues
FIFA point to statutes - "politically neutral" - when asked if US political climate played part in decision
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
FIFA has decided not to show videos or signage which explicitly mention challenging racism or discrimination in US Club World Cup venues
FIFA point to statutes - "politically neutral" - when asked if US political climate played part in decision
www.nytimes.com/athletic/643...
Ahead of the Club World Cup, I travelled to South Africa to spend four days with Mamelodi Sundowns, the most successful team in the country. Did an audio documentary.
pod.fo/e/2e427e
pod.fo/e/2e427e
The Athletic FC Podcast: Inside South Africa’s super club
What happens when the best clubs in world football collide? We're about to find out in as the Club World Cup kicks off in the USA.Big names like Lionel Messi, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich will al...
pod.fo
June 14, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Ahead of the Club World Cup, I travelled to South Africa to spend four days with Mamelodi Sundowns, the most successful team in the country. Did an audio documentary.
pod.fo/e/2e427e
pod.fo/e/2e427e
Miguel Cardoso smokes a cigar. Denis Onyango celebrates his 40th birthday. Grant Kekana paints his nails. Each of these facts are mildly related. This is how Mamelodi Sundowns prepared for the Club World Cup, a tournament you may have heard about.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640... l
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640... l
Inside Mamelodi Sundowns: The journey to the Club World Cup
In the second part of our series, The Athletic finds out how Mamelodi Sundowns are preparing for this month's Club World Cup in the U.S.
www.nytimes.com
June 10, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Miguel Cardoso smokes a cigar. Denis Onyango celebrates his 40th birthday. Grant Kekana paints his nails. Each of these facts are mildly related. This is how Mamelodi Sundowns prepared for the Club World Cup, a tournament you may have heard about.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640... l
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640... l
Reposted by Simon Hughes
The Athletic spent four days in the Mamelodi Sundowns camp before the they compete at the Club World Cup.
The South African champions call themselves "The Brazilians” because of their colours but also the expectation to deliver attacking football.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social
The South African champions call themselves "The Brazilians” because of their colours but also the expectation to deliver attacking football.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social
Inside Mamelodi Sundowns: South Africa’s superclub, the home of ‘shoeshine and piano’
The Athletic visited Pretoria, South Africa, to get to know the Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the Club World Cup
www.nytimes.com
June 9, 2025 at 8:26 AM
The Athletic spent four days in the Mamelodi Sundowns camp before the they compete at the Club World Cup.
The South African champions call themselves "The Brazilians” because of their colours but also the expectation to deliver attacking football.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social
The South African champions call themselves "The Brazilians” because of their colours but also the expectation to deliver attacking football.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social
Ahead of the Club World Cup, I went to South Africa to spend time with Mamelodi Sundowns. Lots of grumbling in Europe about more football this summer but the mood is different elsewhere. First of a three part series here. Audio documentary to follow. www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
Inside Mamelodi Sundowns: South Africa’s superclub, the home of ‘shoeshine and piano’
The Athletic visited Pretoria, South Africa, to get to know the Mamelodi Sundowns ahead of the Club World Cup
www.nytimes.com
June 9, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Ahead of the Club World Cup, I went to South Africa to spend time with Mamelodi Sundowns. Lots of grumbling in Europe about more football this summer but the mood is different elsewhere. First of a three part series here. Audio documentary to follow. www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
Reposted by Simon Hughes
Farewell Ange Postecoglou. The most original, surprising and distinctive Tottenham manager I’ve covered. And the one to deliver Spurs’ greatest moment for a generation. Wrote this on his tenure and dismissal:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
Why Tottenham sacked Ange Postecoglou, the manager who ended their 17-year trophy drought
The inside story behind Levy's decision to sack Postecoglou, after a historically bad domestic season but also Europa League glory
www.nytimes.com
June 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Farewell Ange Postecoglou. The most original, surprising and distinctive Tottenham manager I’ve covered. And the one to deliver Spurs’ greatest moment for a generation. Wrote this on his tenure and dismissal:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...
Reposted by Simon Hughes
A message from @philippeauclair.bsky.social
The reality we at Josimar face is stark. Should we fail to raise 50 000 euro by 1 July, the world’s only investigative media dedicated solely to football will cease to exist.
josimarfootball.com/2025/06/03/a...
The reality we at Josimar face is stark. Should we fail to raise 50 000 euro by 1 July, the world’s only investigative media dedicated solely to football will cease to exist.
josimarfootball.com/2025/06/03/a...
A letter from Philippe Auclair - josimarfootball.com
The reality we at Josimar face is stark. Should we fail to raise € 50k by 1 July, the world's only investigative media dedicated solely to football will cease to exist.
josimarfootball.com
June 3, 2025 at 11:59 AM
A message from @philippeauclair.bsky.social
The reality we at Josimar face is stark. Should we fail to raise 50 000 euro by 1 July, the world’s only investigative media dedicated solely to football will cease to exist.
josimarfootball.com/2025/06/03/a...
The reality we at Josimar face is stark. Should we fail to raise 50 000 euro by 1 July, the world’s only investigative media dedicated solely to football will cease to exist.
josimarfootball.com/2025/06/03/a...
British government faces inquiry into appointment of new independent football regulator chair. David Kogan likely to be interviewed, along with secretary of state, Lisa Nandy.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
UK government faces inquiry into appointment of new independent football regulator chair
David Kogan was revealed as the preferred candidate to be appointed new independent football regulator chairman in May.
www.nytimes.com
June 2, 2025 at 12:27 PM
British government faces inquiry into appointment of new independent football regulator chair. David Kogan likely to be interviewed, along with secretary of state, Lisa Nandy.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...
Reposted by Simon Hughes
Latest Walk On podcast and not the one we hoped to do. Very sombre in the aftermath of yesterday. Me, @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social and @simonhughes1983.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2db1e5
Walk On: A show about Liverpool FC: How Liverpool’s Premier League title parade turned into chaos
James Pearce and Simon Hughes are alongside Tony Evans to reflect on the sad scenes at the end of Liverpool's title parade on Monday.The panel discuss the incident that has led to a 53-year-old wh...
pod.fo
May 27, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Latest Walk On podcast and not the one we hoped to do. Very sombre in the aftermath of yesterday. Me, @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social and @simonhughes1983.bsky.social pod.fo/e/2db1e5
The authorities in charge of safety on Merseyside have serious questions to answer. Primarily, how the car that ploughed into so many people was allowed to tailgate an ambulance into a road that was supposed to be blocked off to non emergency vehicles. www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
'It destroyed a perfect day' - How Liverpool's Premier League title parade turned into chaos
www.nytimes.com
May 27, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The authorities in charge of safety on Merseyside have serious questions to answer. Primarily, how the car that ploughed into so many people was allowed to tailgate an ambulance into a road that was supposed to be blocked off to non emergency vehicles. www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
Reposted by Simon Hughes
Liverpool fans had flocked to the city on Monday to celebrate their Premier League title success.
But, at around 6pm on Water Street, the day descended into chaos.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social, @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social, @caoimhesport.bsky.social & @greggevans40.bsky.social
But, at around 6pm on Water Street, the day descended into chaos.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social, @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social, @caoimhesport.bsky.social & @greggevans40.bsky.social
‘It destroyed a perfect day’ – How Liverpool’s Premier League title parade turned into chaos
A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs
www.nytimes.com
May 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Liverpool fans had flocked to the city on Monday to celebrate their Premier League title success.
But, at around 6pm on Water Street, the day descended into chaos.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social, @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social, @caoimhesport.bsky.social & @greggevans40.bsky.social
But, at around 6pm on Water Street, the day descended into chaos.
@simonhughes1983.bsky.social, @jamespearcelfc.bsky.social, @caoimhesport.bsky.social & @greggevans40.bsky.social
Liverpool won the league
May 26, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Liverpool won the league
My audio documentary about Liverpool's last trophy lift in 2020. I've spoken to the families of supporters who did not get to see it due to the very unusual period we were living in. The last month has triggered some painful memories.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Liverpool: The title they never saw
Podcast Episode · Walk On: The Athletic FC's Liverpool show · 25/05/2025 · 39m
podcasts.apple.com
May 25, 2025 at 7:34 AM
My audio documentary about Liverpool's last trophy lift in 2020. I've spoken to the families of supporters who did not get to see it due to the very unusual period we were living in. The last month has triggered some painful memories.
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/w...
Reposted by Simon Hughes
Last night I witnessed the death of a banter era.
My piece from Bilbao
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
My piece from Bilbao
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
May 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Last night I witnessed the death of a banter era.
My piece from Bilbao
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
My piece from Bilbao
www.nytimes.com/athletic/637...
