Infantino's Fifa making money out of selling low-level games to data collection agencies and, beyond, legal and *illegal* bookmakers. Great work by @samindrakunti.bsky.social and @stevemenary.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social.
From Aruba and Mauritania to the Seychelles, FIFA is commercialising as many lower-level games as possible via FIFA+.
Stats Perform will be collecting the data for betting operators.
Here is more background. With @stevemenary.bsky.social.
www.playthegame.org/news/fifa-li...
Stats Perform will be collecting the data for betting operators.
Here is more background. With @stevemenary.bsky.social.
www.playthegame.org/news/fifa-li...
FIFA+ livestreams fuel global in-play betting markets
New research from Play the Game shows how unlicensed betting companies are using FIFA’s own streaming platform to offer in-play wagers on low-level matches worldwide. Many smaller federations are unaw...
www.playthegame.org
January 12, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Infantino's Fifa making money out of selling low-level games to data collection agencies and, beyond, legal and *illegal* bookmakers. Great work by @samindrakunti.bsky.social and @stevemenary.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social.
Gut, die Vorgeschichte des #Brexit ist noch etwas komplexer und früher, aber (Sport)Großveranstaltungen im eigenen Land fördern eher den Nationalismus statt die Toleranz gegenüber anderen Nationen.
Siehe (oder besser: höre) auch @sdwolfe.bsky.social im @playthegame-org.bsky.social -Podcast.
Siehe (oder besser: höre) auch @sdwolfe.bsky.social im @playthegame-org.bsky.social -Podcast.
September 26, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Gut, die Vorgeschichte des #Brexit ist noch etwas komplexer und früher, aber (Sport)Großveranstaltungen im eigenen Land fördern eher den Nationalismus statt die Toleranz gegenüber anderen Nationen.
Siehe (oder besser: höre) auch @sdwolfe.bsky.social im @playthegame-org.bsky.social -Podcast.
Siehe (oder besser: höre) auch @sdwolfe.bsky.social im @playthegame-org.bsky.social -Podcast.
January 10, 2025 at 7:13 AM
We built aggressive driving to feel powerful. We also built consequences.💀
Looks wild, isn’t ?!
Try surviving it yourself. 🎮
#playcosmicrace #racing #playthegame #indiegames #gamedev
Looks wild, isn’t ?!
Try surviving it yourself. 🎮
#playcosmicrace #racing #playthegame #indiegames #gamedev
April 25, 2026 at 2:22 PM
We built aggressive driving to feel powerful. We also built consequences.💀
Looks wild, isn’t ?!
Try surviving it yourself. 🎮
#playcosmicrace #racing #playthegame #indiegames #gamedev
Looks wild, isn’t ?!
Try surviving it yourself. 🎮
#playcosmicrace #racing #playthegame #indiegames #gamedev
It's never been more important - and urgent - to support investigative sports journalism and, to do this, @playthegame-org.bsky.social has set up a new initiative, which I hope many of you will contribute to. Spread the word, and help us protect sport and the values we believe it should represent.
Journalism Fund
Through public support, the Play the Game Journalism Fund fund enables Play the Game to commission freelance journalists and researchers to produce independent, investigative, and analytical journalis...
www.playthegame.org
September 25, 2026 at 3:12 PM
It's never been more important - and urgent - to support investigative sports journalism and, to do this, @playthegame-org.bsky.social has set up a new initiative, which I hope many of you will contribute to. Spread the word, and help us protect sport and the values we believe it should represent.
Bull's eye by @pbsportswriter.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social. In private, many football and finance executives will agree that a disaster is brewing. But no-one dares speak out - yet - for fear of precipitating a crisis which will come to pass anyway.
Is football at the frontline of the next financial crisis? Private Equity firms are using complex offshore arrangements to channel insurance money into football. This Bermuda Triangle strategy ended badly for 777 Partners, but could be a preview of the future.
www.playthegame.org/news/investm...
www.playthegame.org/news/investm...
Why investment funds could trigger football’s next crisis
Firms that specialise in buying and selling companies are using complex offshore arrangements to channel insurance money into football clubs. This Bermuda Triangle strategy has already ended badly for...
www.playthegame.org
February 3, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Bull's eye by @pbsportswriter.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social. In private, many football and finance executives will agree that a disaster is brewing. But no-one dares speak out - yet - for fear of precipitating a crisis which will come to pass anyway.
ICYMI. Reference to recent work from @playthegame-org.bsky.social also.
Having a chat here with Radio National's @patskarvelas.bsky.social about #SaudiArabia hosting the 2034 #WorldCup and #sportswashing.
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...
Saudi Arabia accused of ‘sportswashing’ over hosting FIFA world cup - ABC listen
Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 FIFA men's World Cup, sparking more "sportswashing" accusations from human rights groups.
www.abc.net.au
December 12, 2024 at 8:03 AM
ICYMI. Reference to recent work from @playthegame-org.bsky.social also.
Shoot me an email: playthegame @ lightproductions . com
November 22, 2024 at 6:47 PM
Shoot me an email: playthegame @ lightproductions . com
New for @josimarfootball.bsky.social: an op-ed by @staniselsborg.bsky.social, Head of @playthegame-org.bsky.social - the World Cup legacy Fifa does not want to talk about.
The World Cup Legacy Fifa Does Not Want to Talk About - josimarfootball.com
The final will crown a champion, but the 2026 World Cup's true legacy lies far from the pitch.
josimarfootball.com
July 17, 2026 at 4:29 PM
New for @josimarfootball.bsky.social: an op-ed by @staniselsborg.bsky.social, Head of @playthegame-org.bsky.social - the World Cup legacy Fifa does not want to talk about.
Publication day for @stevemenary.bsky.social, @samindrakunti.bsky.social, @matthijsvndam.bsky.social, Jack Kerr and I, who have spent months investigating Curaçao, the island that drives the world's illegal betting for @josimarfootball.bsky.social, @playthegame-org.bsky.social and @trouw.nl.
September 1, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Publication day for @stevemenary.bsky.social, @samindrakunti.bsky.social, @matthijsvndam.bsky.social, Jack Kerr and I, who have spent months investigating Curaçao, the island that drives the world's illegal betting for @josimarfootball.bsky.social, @playthegame-org.bsky.social and @trouw.nl.
( cheeky double challenge completed )
Day 27 a song with 3 words in the title
I give you Queen's -Play The Game
#DavidsMonthofMusic
#MusicChallenge
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekQforQueens
#Queen #PlayTheGame
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5O...
Day 27 a song with 3 words in the title
I give you Queen's -Play The Game
#DavidsMonthofMusic
#MusicChallenge
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekQforQueens
#Queen #PlayTheGame
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5O...
Queen - Play The Game (Official Video)
YouTube video by Queen Official
m.youtube.com
April 27, 2026 at 11:57 AM
( cheeky double challenge completed )
Day 27 a song with 3 words in the title
I give you Queen's -Play The Game
#DavidsMonthofMusic
#MusicChallenge
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekQforQueens
#Queen #PlayTheGame
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5O...
Day 27 a song with 3 words in the title
I give you Queen's -Play The Game
#DavidsMonthofMusic
#MusicChallenge
#AlphabetChallenge
#WeekQforQueens
#Queen #PlayTheGame
m.youtube.com/watch?v=6_5O...
If it was damaging to the left, The Right would not only publish this, but print it out and hold up photos during congressional meetings. #PLAYTHEGAME
November 19, 2024 at 9:47 PM
If it was damaging to the left, The Right would not only publish this, but print it out and hold up photos during congressional meetings. #PLAYTHEGAME
Fascinating talk on sports washing by @julesboykoff.bsky.social at @playthegame-org.bsky.social
Challenged my traditional thinking on the topic!
Challenged my traditional thinking on the topic!
October 5, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Fascinating talk on sports washing by @julesboykoff.bsky.social at @playthegame-org.bsky.social
Challenged my traditional thinking on the topic!
Challenged my traditional thinking on the topic!
On Argentinian football shenanigans, this, just published by @playthegame-org.bsky.social, is absolutely superb; jaw-dropping too.
Argentine police chases missing fortunes
Legal authorities from the U.S. and Argentina cooperate in tracing money that apparently was spent on luxury goods rather than returned to the Argentine football federation.
www.playthegame.org
May 19, 2026 at 11:19 AM
On Argentinian football shenanigans, this, just published by @playthegame-org.bsky.social, is absolutely superb; jaw-dropping too.
This is the first of four pieces which @stevemenary.bsky.social and I have been writing for @playthegame-org.bsky.social on the subject of multiple club ownership, a game-changer in the case of football, not necessarily for the best.
In a new series for @playthegame-org.bsky.social, journalists @stevemenary.bsky.social and @philippeauclair.bsky.social explain the many problems caused by MCO groups, their sometimes shady investors, and the fertile ground they represent for criminal activity👇
www.playthegame.org/news/footbal...
www.playthegame.org/news/footbal...
Football’s MCO crisis: How investors are changing the game
Multi-club ownership is not necessarily about football. Wealthy individuals and investment firms are buying clubs for business leverage, financial speculation, or elite networking.
www.playthegame.org
April 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
This is the first of four pieces which @stevemenary.bsky.social and I have been writing for @playthegame-org.bsky.social on the subject of multiple club ownership, a game-changer in the case of football, not necessarily for the best.
When journalists frame sports boycotts as a simple yes/no question, they fail their democratic role.
My comment on the boycott debate and the media’s responsibility is now available in English via @playthegame-org.bsky.social
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/sports-...
My comment on the boycott debate and the media’s responsibility is now available in English via @playthegame-org.bsky.social
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/sports-...
January 30, 2026 at 7:43 AM
When journalists frame sports boycotts as a simple yes/no question, they fail their democratic role.
My comment on the boycott debate and the media’s responsibility is now available in English via @playthegame-org.bsky.social
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/sports-...
My comment on the boycott debate and the media’s responsibility is now available in English via @playthegame-org.bsky.social
👉 www.playthegame.org/news/sports-...
By @sportingintel.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social.
"Use burner phones. Beware of your social media. Have contingency plans".
In Trump’s America, nothing can be ruled out.
"Use burner phones. Beware of your social media. Have contingency plans".
In Trump’s America, nothing can be ruled out.
FIFA World Cup 2026: In Trump’s America, nothing can be ruled out
While thousands of reporters prepare to cover the FIFA World Cup, concerns grow over the Trump administration’s crackdown on critics and foreigners. Nick Harris from Sporting Intelligence takes a clos...
www.playthegame.org
March 30, 2026 at 5:17 PM
By @sportingintel.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social.
"Use burner phones. Beware of your social media. Have contingency plans".
In Trump’s America, nothing can be ruled out.
"Use burner phones. Beware of your social media. Have contingency plans".
In Trump’s America, nothing can be ruled out.
Terrific news: @playthegame-org.bsky.social is launching "a new podcast about the people, powers, and politics shaping sport". First episode: a discussion with Qatar 2022 whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais, who was prevented from addressing the Oslo Freedom Forum in person last week.
Qatar 2022 whistleblower: Abdullah Ibhais on prison, pressure, and media control
Podcast Episode · Play the Game Podcast · 8 June · 41min
podcasts.apple.com
June 8, 2026 at 10:06 AM
Terrific news: @playthegame-org.bsky.social is launching "a new podcast about the people, powers, and politics shaping sport". First episode: a discussion with Qatar 2022 whistleblower Abdullah Ibhais, who was prevented from addressing the Oslo Freedom Forum in person last week.
The depth of Saudi Arabia’s strategic investment in sports and growing labyrinth of influence remains startling to behold.
Proud to have played a small part in this research project for @playthegame-org.bsky.social .
Proud to have played a small part in this research project for @playthegame-org.bsky.social .
🔥 EXCLUSIVE
The most detailed mapping of Saudi Arabia's sponsorships and key players in sports!
Includes related:
❌Governance issues
❌Conflicts of interest
❌Human rights atrocities
Excited to share the findings!
🌐Access the web and pdf versions👇
www.playthegame.org/projects/sau...
The most detailed mapping of Saudi Arabia's sponsorships and key players in sports!
Includes related:
❌Governance issues
❌Conflicts of interest
❌Human rights atrocities
Excited to share the findings!
🌐Access the web and pdf versions👇
www.playthegame.org/projects/sau...
December 2, 2024 at 8:29 PM
The depth of Saudi Arabia’s strategic investment in sports and growing labyrinth of influence remains startling to behold.
Proud to have played a small part in this research project for @playthegame-org.bsky.social .
Proud to have played a small part in this research project for @playthegame-org.bsky.social .
Terrific piece by @stevemenary.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social: Fifa+ is supposed to give broadcasting oxygen to less-advertised, smaller leagues and competitions. But what it does is provide prime content which can be exploited by sports betting operators, legal or not. And is.
FIFA’s betting expansion raises integrity fears
FIFA’s growing ties to betting operators, prediction markets, and data companies are opening new integrity risks from the World Cup to low-level matches streamed on FIFA+.
www.playthegame.org
May 7, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Terrific piece by @stevemenary.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social: Fifa+ is supposed to give broadcasting oxygen to less-advertised, smaller leagues and competitions. But what it does is provide prime content which can be exploited by sports betting operators, legal or not. And is.
Saudi-Arabien bekommt am 11. Dezember die Fußball-WM. Das Land hat ein großes Netzwerk im Sport aufgebaut, das auf Sponsoring, Kooperation und direkten Investitionen beruht. @playthegame-org.bsky.social hat das Ausmaß analysiert:
www.sportschau.de/fussball/sau...
www.sportschau.de/fussball/sau...
Recherche aus Dänemark: Saudi-Arabiens wachsender Einfluss auf den globalen Sport
Das Recherchenetzwerk "Play the Game" aus Dänemark hat kurz vor der Vergabe der WM 2034 an Saudi-Arabien das sportpolitische Netzwerk des Landes analysiert - das Ausmaß der Einflussnahme wächst.
www.sportschau.de
December 2, 2024 at 7:10 PM
Saudi-Arabien bekommt am 11. Dezember die Fußball-WM. Das Land hat ein großes Netzwerk im Sport aufgebaut, das auf Sponsoring, Kooperation und direkten Investitionen beruht. @playthegame-org.bsky.social hat das Ausmaß analysiert:
www.sportschau.de/fussball/sau...
www.sportschau.de/fussball/sau...
Aktuell auf der Bühne bei @playthegame-org.bsky.social: Shannon Galpin zu "Whistleblowing from the Afghanistan Evacuation - UCI’s Repeated History of Sided with Abusers" - Es geht um die Verfehlungen des Weltradsportverband UCI gegenüber afghanischen Radprofis (Frauen und Männer).
October 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Aktuell auf der Bühne bei @playthegame-org.bsky.social: Shannon Galpin zu "Whistleblowing from the Afghanistan Evacuation - UCI’s Repeated History of Sided with Abusers" - Es geht um die Verfehlungen des Weltradsportverband UCI gegenüber afghanischen Radprofis (Frauen und Männer).
Yes, sports bans work, and Russia's exclusion - now being reconsidered by the IOC and Gianni Infantino's Fifa - is a good example of what they can achieve. A very powerful piece by @staniselsborg.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social.
www.playthegame.org/news/excludi...
www.playthegame.org/news/excludi...
Putin's strategy in sport has been disrupted by Russian exclusion
As international sports bodies move to reintegrate Russia, they once again stress the “neutrality” of sport. Stanis Elsborg argues that this language obscures what has really been achieved by excludin...
www.playthegame.org
March 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Yes, sports bans work, and Russia's exclusion - now being reconsidered by the IOC and Gianni Infantino's Fifa - is a good example of what they can achieve. A very powerful piece by @staniselsborg.bsky.social for @playthegame-org.bsky.social.
www.playthegame.org/news/excludi...
www.playthegame.org/news/excludi...